The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, said on Tuesday 26 March that Afghanistan was at a critical moment in its history, as the President tried to start peace negotiations.
“Afghanistan is at a critical juncture in its history”, she said at a press briefing with President Ashraf Ghani on the occasion of her first visit to the country as High Representative. There is “a unique window of opportunity to start discussing the perspectives for peace in the country”, she added.
According to Ms Mogherini, while the opening of peace negotiations is not conditional in itself, several conditions are necessary for the outcome of any negotiations to continue: a Taliban ceasefire and peace talks with the government, the creation of an inclusive negotiating team “composed of representatives of all Afghan society, including women”, and “the upholding and strengthening” of the political, economic and social achievements of the last 18 years.
Ms Mogherini added that Afghans must remain “owners of the process”, even if, in her opinion, other actors are “essential”. A few days ago, the United States held negotiations with the Taliban in Qatar.
The High Representative also stated that the presidential elections scheduled for July should not be an excuse for not moving forward in the peace process and that the electoral calendar should not be affected by the process. It is necessary to “enter negotiations as if there were no elections, united as a country; and do elections as if there were no negotiations”, she summarised.
Ms Mogherini also recalled that in November the EU presented a concrete offer for peace, which is being developed in five points: helping the Afghan government to make the peace process more inclusive, supporting reforms, including in the security sector, providing incentives for the reintegration of ex-combatants and their families, acting, if necessary, as guarantor of the peace process and finally, supporting trade, cross-border infrastructure and regional connectivity (see EUROPE 12148/16). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)