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Opportunity For Peace This Time Is Real: NATO Envoy

NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative for Afghanistan Nicholas Kay has said that to ensure establishment of lasting peace in Afghanistan, there is a dire need to preserve the achievements of the last 18 years in the country.  

“This year in Afghanistan, I really do believe is a critical year in deciding whether this country will enjoy the peace that it so much deserves. There has never been a year like this since 2001, the opportunity is real, but the risks are real as well and this moment will not lose forever,” he said. “I really do encourage all parties to seize the moment and set out an inclusive intra-Afghan dialogue where they can resolve Afghans problem amongst themselves.”

Kay, who previously served as Britain’s ambassador to Kabul, said achievements like freedom of speech and women’s rights in Afghanistan should be preserved.

Kay stated that a democratic system in the country will be quite important to determine a prosperous and bright future for Afghanistan.

Recent efforts of the United States for Afghan peace have met with optimism among ordinary Afghans, but women in the country have been concerned about a potential compromise on their rights in exchange for peace.

The NATO ambassador said supporting women’s active role in the peace process remains their top priority.

“For NATO, supporting women’s active participation in the peace process and in all  political activities is a high priority. We have launched our own campaign, with the hashtag #nopeacewithoutwomen. It is really critical to a sustainable peace that women voices are heard and responded to on all issues. NATO has been supporting women for many years,” added Kay.

Afghan politicians have often announced their support to peace efforts by the United States led by chief negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad.

Addressing an event in Balkh province on Monday, Atta Mohammad Noor, the CEO of Jamiat-e-Islami party and governor of Balkh province, who attended the last Moscow meeting in February, said he strongly supports the current efforts for peace.

“We are strongly supporting and backing the ongoing efforts for peace. At the same time, we will also resist all the obstacles that government is creating on the way of peace to create misunderstanding about peace amongst the people,” he said.

The remarks come as the United States and Taliban talks in Qatar ended after 16 days on March 12 with an agreement in draft on foreign forces withdrawal and counterterrorism assurances. 

Opportunity For Peace This Time Is Real: NATO Envoy

Nicholas Kay says supporting women’s active role in the peace process is a high priority for NATO.

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NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative for Afghanistan Nicholas Kay has said that to ensure establishment of lasting peace in Afghanistan, there is a dire need to preserve the achievements of the last 18 years in the country.  

“This year in Afghanistan, I really do believe is a critical year in deciding whether this country will enjoy the peace that it so much deserves. There has never been a year like this since 2001, the opportunity is real, but the risks are real as well and this moment will not lose forever,” he said. “I really do encourage all parties to seize the moment and set out an inclusive intra-Afghan dialogue where they can resolve Afghans problem amongst themselves.”

Kay, who previously served as Britain’s ambassador to Kabul, said achievements like freedom of speech and women’s rights in Afghanistan should be preserved.

Kay stated that a democratic system in the country will be quite important to determine a prosperous and bright future for Afghanistan.

Recent efforts of the United States for Afghan peace have met with optimism among ordinary Afghans, but women in the country have been concerned about a potential compromise on their rights in exchange for peace.

The NATO ambassador said supporting women’s active role in the peace process remains their top priority.

“For NATO, supporting women’s active participation in the peace process and in all  political activities is a high priority. We have launched our own campaign, with the hashtag #nopeacewithoutwomen. It is really critical to a sustainable peace that women voices are heard and responded to on all issues. NATO has been supporting women for many years,” added Kay.

Afghan politicians have often announced their support to peace efforts by the United States led by chief negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad.

Addressing an event in Balkh province on Monday, Atta Mohammad Noor, the CEO of Jamiat-e-Islami party and governor of Balkh province, who attended the last Moscow meeting in February, said he strongly supports the current efforts for peace.

“We are strongly supporting and backing the ongoing efforts for peace. At the same time, we will also resist all the obstacles that government is creating on the way of peace to create misunderstanding about peace amongst the people,” he said.

The remarks come as the United States and Taliban talks in Qatar ended after 16 days on March 12 with an agreement in draft on foreign forces withdrawal and counterterrorism assurances. 

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