NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday called on the Taliban to reduce violence and engage in intra-Afghan dialogue to create lasting peace.
The call comes as the US and Taliban have been negotiating for a year to end the 18-year-long war in Afghanistan.
“We hope that we can see progress as soon as possible,” Stoltenberg said at a press conference ahead of NATO’s meeting of defense ministers.
Stoltenberg said that NATO Allies and partners went into Afghanistan together will make decisions on the adjustment of force levels together and “one day we will leave together, because we are not in Afghanistan to stay there forever, we are there to create the conditions for peace and to enable the Afghan security forces to protect themselves without our help.”
Stoltenberg said that the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan is making a difference.
“Despite the challenging circumstances, the brave Afghan security forces are getting stronger and they are helping create the conditions for peace,” he said.
“The Taliban must understand they cannot win on the battlefield, they must commit to a reduction in violence and show that they are genuinely committed to a peaceful future for Afghanistan,” Stoltenberg said.
