To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of progress towards a peaceful settlement in Afghanistan since recent talks in Moscow and Doha between different stakeholders from that country; and if he will make a statement.
Answered on
12 February 2019
We welcome the progress made by the US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, towards revitalising a peace process in Afghanistan. His wide-ranging engagement is important in supporting and facilitating an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned political process.
We welcome regional initiatives designed to support this aim, if coordinated with the Afghan government. Recent talks in Moscow did not include representatives of that government.
The UK believes that only a political solution can achieve lasting stability in Afghanistan. The UK will continue to provide support to Ambassador Khalilzad and the Afghan government in their efforts.
The British Government continues to urge the Taliban to take advantage of the current opportunity for peace, and to begin a genuine intra-Afghan dialogue by engaging with the elected government of Afghanistan.