Qatar plays a prominent role in contributing to the resolution of conflicts in the region and the world and enhancing security and stability in several regions. The landmark Intra-Afghan Conference for Peace being jointly hosted by Qatar and Germany is testament to this. Around 50 leading Afghan politicians and civil society activists met with a team of the Taliban in two-day conference for peace.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in a tweet, welcomed different Afghan representatives in Doha and expressed hope for a constructive dialogue that meets the aspirations of Afghan people for peace and stability. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that the Afghan gathering “has been a long time coming” and praised the country’s “government, civil society, women, and Taliban” for coming together.
Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Special Envoy for Counterterrorism and Mediation in Conflict Resolution, Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani, said that the State of Qatar believes that the conflict in Afghanistan can only be ended through a peaceful resolution not a military one. On his part, German envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Markus Potzel, expressed gratitude to all Afghan factions involved in the dialogue, which he said was in the interest of efforts to reduce the sufferings being faced by the Afghan people. He stated that Qatar and Germany had taken the initiative to conduct such a dialogue because they wished to do their part to open the way for peace in Afghanistan.
The talks revolve around four axes, the first is not to use Afghan territory by any party to threaten the interests of the United States or its allies and other countries in the region, the second is the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghan territory within specific time frames, the third to be a dialogue and direct talks between Afghans and some between the Taliban and the Afghan government, and the fourth is to have a comprehensive ceasefire.
Progress has been made in the first and second axes, while further progress is being made in the third axis, namely, dialogue, since dialogue comes first, followed by direct negotiations.
US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, said Qatar’s hosting of the Intra-Afghan peace talks has pushed the peace process forward. “It is a good step and a positive step which is in favor of advancing the peace process in Afghanistan.”
Khalilzad said the hosting the talks was one of the steps being taken in the process of peace in Afghanistan, indicating that the next step was to begin official negotiation.
Qatar continues its efforts as a mediator to build trust, reach a sustainable ceasefire, achieve civilians’ protection, release prisoners, and bring together the views of the parties concerned in the conflict to reach a political solution that will ensure the achievement of peace, stability and prosperity for the Afghan people.
