Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo assures strong support to Afghan peace

Kabul: NATO’s new Senior Civil Representative to Afghanistan, Stefano Pontecorvo has assured strong support to a peaceful Afghanistan free from terrorism.

In his first address to the country, Ambassador Pontecorvo said: “A stable Afghanistan, free from terrorism, is what the Afghan people deserve and the world expects.”

“At the time of tremendous opportunity for peace, together we have to keep focused on our highest priority: the earliest possible start of intra-Afghan negotiations,” said Pontecorvo in his video address.

He also lends support to the hard-gain achievements of the last 19 years in Afghanistan. “Afghanistan will have international support to preserve achievements they had made over the last two decades.”

“NATO and its partners are committed to supporting Afghanistan, the Afghan security forces and the Afghan people’s demands for a more secure and peaceful country.”

The Italian ambassador arrived in Kabul on June 1st and will be working with the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission.

Earlier, Mr. Pontecorvo met with Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, where they discussed the Afghan peace process. During meeting, he underlined NATO’s commitment to peace and security in Afghanistan. “Reduction in violence must continue to build confidence and lead to the intra-Afghan negotiations as soon as possible,” he added.