Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo calls for end to violence

Kabul: NATO Senior Civilian Representative Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo Friday said that violence must end in Afghanistan to lave way for peace.

The senior diplomat met National Security Advisor of Afghanistan Hamdullah Mohib to discuss the Afghan peace process.

“I expressed my deep concern with the continuous high levels of Taliban violence. The progress on peace must be underpinned by reduced violence to build trust in the process & end the suffering of the Afghan people,” Ambassador Pontecorvo said in a tweet later.

The two sides discussed the security situation, NATO’s support for ANDSF, and preparations for the Geneva conference.

Meanwhile, Austin S. Miller, commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, while in Kandahar with Afghan security officials this week said: “The violence is too high. Taliban violence has to slow down–it has to stop. What it is driving is an increase in violence across the country.”

General Miller and Afghan security officials visited Kandahar on Wednesday to review the security situation in the southern province.

“What it is driving is an increase in violence across the country. Their violence has to come down. The world is watching. We have an opportunity for peace, which is what the people of Afghanistan are looking for,” Miller said.