John Kerry’s Remarks To ‘NUG Leaders’ And ‘The Armed Opposition’

MEP: US Secretary of State John Kerry following his talks in Brussels summit, utterly urged the National Unity Government (NUG) to put an end to their differences and addressed the armed Taliban, saying “foreign forces will always be along with Afghan security forces.”

Brussels summit on Afghanistan was held this morning in the presence of representatives of the international community and Europe in Belgium.

Federica Mogherini, Chief of Europe Union foreign affairs in the early talks of the summit said that considerable progress has been made in Afghanistan and the European Union once again emphasizes on its continued implementation and obligations to the country.

She said, in exchange for these commitments, the government of Kabul should adhere to its obligations as well as providing the field of a good governance, with a large presence of people particularly women.

Donald Tusk, President of the European Council also referred to actions and measures taken in Afghanistan, said the leaders of the national unity government should maintain the achievements of the past 15 years and put efforts for its continuing and improvement.

He added that the international community will support Afghanistan until the Afghan security forces be capable of providing security in their country.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in a speech to the country’s progress, stated that the national unity government in two years, on good governance and fighting corruption has been emphasized.

He said the government is committed to provide good service for its citizens and to fight against poverty and insecurity.

According to President Ghani, the security forces are currently involved in fight against the armed Taliban and the Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) terrorist group in 15 provinces of the country, and their success requires the financial support of the international community.

Ghani said Afghanistan’s security depends on global security and while the security forces are engaged in fight against terrorism, neighboring and regional countries should also cooperate in an honest way and should not distinguish between good and bad terrorists.

“Security and corruption are linked to one another and the national unity government is working to maintain security and fight against corruption seriously,” Mr Ghani stressed.

The president urged all opposition groups to come to the negotiating table and adopt the path of peace.

However, John Kerry in his talks has drawn a serious lines for the leaders of national unity government and Taliban.

He urged national unity government leaders to soon put an end to their differences and work to improve people’s living conditions.

Kerry warned to armed Taliban not expect the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan.

Noting that Afghanistan is important for the region and the world, Kerry said that the international community pays the costs of Afghan troops until 2020.

According to US Secretary of State, the recent Taliban attacks in several parts of Afghanistan, cannot separate the international community from its goals and the Taliban cannot stop Afghanistan from progressing by launching attacks.

Kerry, referring to Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s link to the Afghan peace process, stressed that this process is a model for the armed Taliban to join the Afghan people.

On the other hand, Kerry referred to the functions of the national unity government in the past two years, said that the measures of the government in fight against corruption were unsuccessful and leaders of the national unity government did not work in earnest in the fight against this phenomenon.

Secretary of State urged the leaders of the National Unity Government to create the necessary reforms in the electoral system and provide a clear plan for parliamentary elections.

In his view, the functions of NUG in the areas of education, health and freedom of expression in recent years are considered the achievements of the government which should be preserved and maintained.

It is noteworthy that by the end of today, new commitments by the representatives of donor countries to Afghanistan would be announced, the issue that the Afghan government expects to be about three and a half billion dollars annually.