Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo optimistic about Afghanistan peace

Kabul: NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan Stefano Pontecorvo Thursday expressed optimism about peace in Afghanistan.

Earlier, Maulawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, a senior member of the Taliban movement, met Ambassador Pontecorvo in Doha to discuss the US-Taliban February deal and current situation in Afghanistan.

“I met the Taliban representation in Doha. I reiterated NATO’s support to sustainable peace in Afghanistan which responds to the wishes of the Afghan people,” Ambassador Pontecorvo later said.

Afghan Taliban spokesman, Suhail Shaheen, said: “Maulavi A. Salam Hanafi, Deputy Director of the Political Office, IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) and his accompanying delegation met with Stefano Pontecorvo, NATO Civilian Representative for Afghanistan and his accompanying delegation in Doha.

Both sides discussed the Afghan status quo in details,” Suhail Shaheen tweeted.

The Taliban’s spokesman added that Ambassador Pontecorvo had reassured the Taliban of NATO’s commitment to the February deal, while Hanafi told him about the movement’s commitment to its implementation.

The February peace deal between the United States and Taliban envisages establishing a ceasefire between both sides.

In addition, the agreement paves the way for launching intra-Afghan Talks and subsequent withdrawal of foreign troops.