India, EU reaffirm commitment to support Afghanistan in its path towards prosperity

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell have reaffirmed commitment to support Afghanistan in its path towards peace, security, self-reliance and prosperity. 

In a joint press statement, Dr Jaishankar and Mr Borrell called for respecting and protecting the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan. They reaffirmed their strong and continued support to an inclusive, Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process.

 

As representatives of the world's largest democracies, External Affairs Minister Dr.Jaishankar and Mr.Borrell reaffirmed that any political settlement in Afghanistan must protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Afghans, including women, youth and minorities. They reiterated that the nature of the peace settlement and its outcome will shape the future of international support and assistance. 

They jointly and firmly condemned the unacceptable



level of violence perpetrated against the national forces of Afghanistan and civilians and the targeted assassinations of civil rights activists, media persons and Ulema. They reiterated their call for an immediate, permanent and comprehensive nationwide ceasefire.

 

An effective and unconditional cessation of hostilities is essential for creating the appropriate conditions for the negotiations to proceed meaningfully, for building trust between the parties, in instilling confidence in the Afghan people and for demonstrating a genuine commitment of the Taliban to lasting reconciliation. 

External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar and Mr Borrell agreed that a successful peace process requires the Taliban to engage in good faith, with a serious commitment towards finding a political solution. Both sides reiterated the importance of ensuring that the soil of Afghanistan should not be used by terrorist groups to threaten the security of India and the EU.