KABUL (Pajhwok): As peace talks resumed in Doha on Wednesday evening, the NATO chief said it was essential to make sure the Taliban cut ties with international terrorist outfits, including the al-Qaeda network.

At a joint media briefing with CSU Parliamentary Group Vhairman Alexander Dobrindt, Jens Stoltenberg called 2021 a pivotal year for NATO, which needed to decide on its presence in Afghanistan.

While welcoming the ongoing Afghan peace talks, he said: There are many challenges and many uncertainties. But of course, talks are the only path to peace and a negotiated solution,

The NATO secretary general added: We support those efforts, but at the same time we know that we will be faced with a very difficult dilemma.

Next month, he said, NATO defence ministers would meet to decide on the future of the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. The alliance, however, would face a dilemma, Stoltenberg continued.

The defence ministers would have to decide on whether to stay in Afghanistan or exit the country, he said, adding there would be risks in both cases.

With regard to a conditions-based withdrawal, he said: The more important thing is that we need to make sure that Afghanistan doesnt once again become a safe haven for international terrorists.

The Norwegian politician explained NATO had gone to Afghanistan almost 20 years ago after 9/11 attack against the United States. Under the peace deal, he noted, the Taliban had promised cutting their relations with al-Qaeda

So the most important condition is to make sure the Taliban meet that requirement, that they break all ties with international terrorists.

He said the alliance would take stock of the situation on the ground and evaluate developments in the peace talks before taking a final decision.

PAN Monitor/mud

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Taliban must break all ties with international terrorists, including al-Qaeda : NATO chief - Pajhwok Afghan News