17 February 2017

News Story: Terrorism Remains A Threat To Global Security - Afghan Envoy

Addressing the six nations meeting on Afghanistan in Moscow on Wednesday, the Director General of Policy and Strategy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ashraf Haidari, said “terrorism remains a threat to security of region and the world".

“The National Unity Government (NUG) is the legitimate, elected government of Afghanistan—representing all Afghans with equal rights under our progressive Constitution. Our government enjoys the support of the Afghan people, who remain a strategic asset in the fight against terrorism and extremism. That is why the Taliban lack the national and moral legitimacy to represent the Afghan people, who reject terrorism perpetrated by the Taliban and their foreign terrorist allied networks in the name of Islam—a religion of peace, tolerance, and co-existence," Haidari said. 

He stated that Afghanistan firmly believes in peace and has made every effort to reach reconciliation with those armed groups, which have demonstrated a genuine willingness to renounce violence, cut ties with terrorist networks, and opt for peace through a results-driven dialogue.

He mentioned that Afghanistan has signed a peace agreement with Hezb-e-Islami in order to boost the peace process in the country.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to the United Nations (UN) Security Council members and the Sanctions Committee for removing Mr. Gulbuddin Hekmatyar from the Sanctions List and to the Russian Federation for their support in this regard,” he said.

He told the participants of the meeting that the conflict in Afghanistan is not a civil war.

Read the full story at TOLOnews