BRUSSELS, July 14 (KUNA) -- NATO Tuesday urged all parties in Afghanistan "to seize this moment for peace," and stressed that an Afghan-owned and led peace process aimed at finding a political resolution is the only way to deliver sustainable peace to the war-torn country.
"We call on all sides to rapidly resolve the remaining issues still precluding the start of inclusive intra-Afghan negotiations," said the North Atlantic Council, the principal political decision-making body within NATO, in a statement today.
"Given the impact of COVID-19, we echo the call of the United Nations for the Taliban to agree to a humanitarian ceasefire that applies to all sides. Both sides must also urgently resolve issues related to prisoner releases" it said.
The statement said that "the military presence of the Alliance and its partners in the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan is conditions-based." "We will continue to consult and, if conditions allow, to adjust our military presence to support the peace process, initiated by the U.S.-Taliban agreement and the U.S.-Afghanistan Joint Declaration" it noted.
The NATO-led mission Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan was launched on 1 January 2015, following the completion of its mission called the International Security Assistance Force.
The new mission provides training, advice and assistance for the Afghan security forces and institutions. It has around 16000 personnel from 39 NATO member states and partner countries. (end) nk.mt