Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Kabul (BNA) President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani met Heiko Maas, the German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs on the sideline of the 56th Munich Security Conference late on Sunday evening and discussed bilateral relations, peace process and Afghan government’s commitment to end the war.
The president talked over the possible opportunities and risks and said the Afghan government’s main objective is to end the war and ensure a sustainable peace in the country, the statement from the presidential press office said, adding that the president also highlighted the importance of the national and political consensus built around peace in Afghanistan. “We are willing and fully committed to bringing an end to the war in Afghanistan.”
The president underscored there is a difficult process ahead and it should be handled with rationality and wisdom. He said social and political potentials among Afghans are enhanced enough to enable us to make tough decisions in the process, the statement added.
President Ghani said he would begin consultations with the Afghan Defense and Security forces, various Afghan demographics, civil society, and political strata to keep them informed of the developments and discuss the possible risks and potential opportunities, according to the statement.
Meanwhile, Heiko Maas expressed Germany’s commitment to support the efforts of the Afghan government and the United States to bring sustainable peace for Afghans. He added his country would stand with the government and people of Afghanistan and make efforts to protect the achievements of the past two decades, especially rights of women and children, the statement added.
According to another report, President Ghani also met late on Sunday evening with Sir Mark Sedwell, the UK Cabinet Secretary and National Security Advisor at the sideline of the 56th Munich Security Conference.
The two sides discussed mutual ties, Afghanistan’s peace process and security, regional issues, and the UK support for Afghanistan in multiple areas, the statement from the presidential press office added.
