The spokeswoman of the European External Action Service (EEAS) said on Tuesday 9 July that the intra-Afghan dialogue, concluded the day before in Doha (Qatar) with the signing of a joint declaration, was "an important step towards achieving the peace the people of Afghanistan deserve and have long demanded".
The joint declaration has two main elements: the reduction of violence and the start of a peace process without interference from neighbouring countries.
"Participants, who met amid ongoing US-Taliban talks, shared their aspirations for the start of an inclusive peace process and have committed to considering measures that would create a peaceful environment and an Afghanistan free from war", the spokeswoman said in a statement. The meeting, facilitated by Germany and Qatar, brought together representatives of the Taliban, major political currents and civil activists - in their personal capacity - to pave the way for formal negotiations. No government representatives were present.
The EU will continue to provide concrete political and financial support for an Afghan-led and controlled peace process that has preserved and strengthened the political, economic and social achievements of the Afghan people since 2001, the EEAS spokesperson said. To this end, she said, the Union was working, inter alia, with the Afghan government "to ensure that peace negotiations are inclusive and respectful of the wish of Afghans to live in a peaceful, secure and prosperous country, where rights are upheld and vulnerable groups protected".
In addition, the spokesperson called for attacks, such as the one claimed by the Taliban on 7 July in Ghazni (centre of the country), which killed 14 civilians and wounded 180, to be "confined to the past". (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)