Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of NATO, welcomed the power-sharing agreement signed on Sunday 17 May between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah after months of wrangling.
On Twitter, Borrell said that signing the agreement “is an important step”, and that Afghanistan would be stronger united than divided. The High Representative warned that addressing the Covid-19 crisis, the “pressing needs” of the Afghan people and preparing for peace negotiations was now “urgent”.
Stoltenberg welcomed the political leaders' decision to “resolve their differences and join efforts to form an inclusive government” and said it was “more important than ever that all Afghan leaders unite and work towards enduring peace”.
He also called on the Taliban to live up to their commitments, reduce violence now, take part in intra-Afghan negotiations and make real compromises for lasting peace and the benefit of all Afghans. As attacks continue in the country, he said that “all parties should seize this unprecedented opportunity for peace”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)