Leading MEPs welcome the launch of peace negotiations in Afghanistan
Joint statement of the Chairs for the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Delegation for relations with Afghanistan on the launch of negotiations between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban
Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs David McAllister (EPP, DE) and Chair of the Delegation for relations with Afghanistan Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) issued the following statement today:
"We welcome the launch of the direct peace negotiations between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban. A comprehensive peace process is a precondition to end four decades of death and destruction and to bringing stability, security and peace to Afghanistan. Intra-Afghan negotiations are key to the peace process. The European Parliament will insist on the need to be inclusive in these Afghan-owned and Afghan-led negotiations. All political factions and civil society, including Afghan women, youth and minorities, should be involved in the talks and throughout the whole process. It is essential that everyone in Afghanistan feels represented during the negotiations and in the next government, in order to safeguard respect for human rights, notably women's and children's rights.
In this crucial moment, domestic stability is of utmost importance. We therefore condemn the eruption of violence during the last weeks and call upon all stakeholders in Afghanistan to put in place an immediate and permanent ceasefire. The responsible for the recent terrorist attacks and the continuous violence need to be held accountable. On behalf of our colleagues in the European Parliament, we express our sincerest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. We assure the continuous solidarity and support of the European Union to the Afghan people, its government and security forces during this challenging endeavour. The European Parliament stands ready to facilitate and support the peace process with the aim of preserving the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, building upon the political, economic and social achievements of the people of Afghanistan." (*...*)
Leading MEPs welcome the political agreement on power-sharing in Afghanistan
Joint statement of the Chairs for the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Delegation for relations with Afghanistan on the power-sharing political agreement in Afghanistan
Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs David McAllister (EPP, DE) and Chair of the Delegation for relations with Afghanistan Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) issued the following statement on Wednesday:
"We welcome the political agreement to form an inclusive government. This sign of unity is a necessary step given the pressing challenges posed by Afghanistan's security situation, the fragile livelihoods of people and the spread of COVID-19.
The agreement will allow the comprehensive peace process to begin, which is a precondition to ending four decades of death and destruction and to bringing stability, security and peace to Afghanistan. Due to its importance, we call upon all stakeholders to implement this deal unreservedly.
On behalf of our colleagues in the European Parliament, we express our sincerest condolences to the families of the victims of the recent terrorist attack on a maternity hospital in Kabul and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. We also express our highest appreciation of the international aid workers for carrying out their work under hardship conditions. (*...*)
COVID-19 in Afghanistan: Pandemic might become unmanageable
The Chair of the European Parliament's Afghanistan Delegation appeals to the EU to provide immediate assistance and urges all sides in Afghanistan to stop fighting at once.
The Chair of the European Parliament's Delegation for relations with Afghanistan Petras Auštrevičius (Renew Europe, LT) said:
"I ask the European Commission and the European External Action Service to support Afghanistan in a timely way by providing the country with life-saving and critical medical equipment. It seems the amount of €117 million will now be directed to fight COVID-19. Additional humanitarian funds are not foreseen. Considering the magnitude of the crisis and the state of the Afghan health system, I deem this amount insufficient. I therefore ask the European institutions and international donors to allocate additional funds to Afghanistan and to implement a joint strategy for Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. (*...*)Mr Petras Auštrevičius, Chair of the European Parliament's Afghanistan delegation urges all sides to hold inclusive peace talks, involving all parts of Afghan society.
Following the recent deal between the United States and the Taliban on the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, Petras Auštrevičius (Renew Europe, LT) issued this statement:
"The concluded peace deal could mark the beginning of a comprehensive peace process. This is definitely a window of opportunity, for Afghanistan and the whole region, to end four decades of death and destruction, which should be seized.
Intra-Afghan negotiations are key to the peace process. The European Parliament will insist on the need to be inclusive in these Afghan-owned and Afghan-led negotiations, in order to achieve a secure and stable situation in the country as soon as possible. All political factions and civil society, including Afghan women, youth and minorities, should be involved in the talks and throughout the whole process. It is essential that everyone in Afghanistan feel represented during the negotiations and in the next government, in order to safeguard respect for human rights, notably women's and children's rights.
In this crucial moment, it is of utmost importance that domestic stability be sustained after the 2019 presidential election. This requires unity and accountability. Stakeholders must put the interests of the nation above their personal interests and all other considerations. (*...*)