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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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,<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
So the most important condition is to make sure the Taliban meet that requirement, that they break all ties with international terrorists.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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Taliban must break all ties with international terrorists, including al-Qaeda : NATO chief - Pajhwok Afghan News<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 Continue reading