Special envoys of different countries meet in Doha to talk about Afghanistan

At the invitation of the Government of the State of Qatar, the special envoys and representatives from China, Uzbekistan, United States, Pakistan, United Kingdom, Qatar, United Nations, and the European Union met in Doha on August 10, as did special envoys and representatives of Germany, India, Norway, Qatar, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United States, and the United Nations on August 12, to assess the status of intra-Afghan negotiations; exchange views with the two negotiating teams on the current challenges and opportunities; and reflect on the contributions the international community can make to the success of the peace process.

At the end of the meetings, the Chair issued the following statement:

1. Participants agreed that the peace process needs to be accelerated as a matter of great urgency on the basis of the negotiations of concrete proposals from both sides.

2. Participants urged both sides to take steps to build trust and accelerate efforts to reach a political settlement and comprehensive ceasefire as quickly as possible.

3. Participants called for a stop to violence and attacks immediately in and against provincial capitals and other cities.

4. Participants took note of converging statements of both sides on the following guiding principles for a political settlement: (a) inclusive governance; (b) respect for human rights, including the rights of women and minorities; (c) a mechanism to deliver a representative government, (d) a commitment not allow any individuals or groups to use the soil of Afghanistan to threaten the security of other countries; and, (e) respect for international law, including international humanitarian law.

5. Participants called on all Afghan sides to act in accordance with these principles and build on them in the future political settlement.

6. Participants raised grave concerns about reports from across Afghanistan with respect to continued violence, large numbers of civilian casualties and extra-judicial killings, widespread and credible allegations of human rights violations, all attacks (ground and air) against provincial capitals and cities, and the destruction of physical infrastructure that perpetuate conflict and make reconciliation efforts more difficult.

7. Participants reaffirmed that they will not recognize any government in Afghanistan that is imposed through the use of military force.

8. Participants committed to assist in the reconstruction of Afghanistan once a viable political settlement is reached following good faith negotiations between the two sides.

9. Participants express full support and gratitude to the State of Qatar and its efforts in this regards.