22/09/2016 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 22 September, the EU welcomed the initialling of a peace agreement between the government of Afghanistan and Hezb-e-Islami Gulbiddin, stating that this demonstrates that "political processes can succeed where conflict cannot" and that the parties had shown "great political courage". "Once the agreement has been signed, we expect its early implementation", the spokesperson to the European External Action Service stated in a press release. "This will be no easy task", she added. Stressing that the route to reconciliation is lined with many challenges, she said that each side had already displayed the "determination and perseverance necessary for success". Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin, a former ally of the Taliban and al-Qaeda, has been accused of a number of revenge attacks. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini recently met the Afghan foreign minister, Salahuddin Rabbani, in New York. (CG)