Region to benefit from Afghan peace: Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo

Kabul: The NATO Senior Civilian Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo said regional countries including Pakistan would benefit from Afghan peace process.

He made the remarks during an interview with Khaama Press, while responding to a question regarding Pakistan’s role in supporting the Taliban group as well as playing a key role in bringing the group to negotiations table.

Ambassador Pontecorvo said Pakistan will benefit much from Afghan peace process as the rest of the regional states. “Pakistan has been recognized… actually by American negotiators that they have played a helpful role.”

He also pointed towards the recent interactions with Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Chief of Staff of the Pakistani military while noting Pakistan’s role in Afghan peace process.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Pontecorvo said a stable Afghanistan would be beneficial for the whole of South Asia.

Ambassador Pontecorvo mainly pointed towards the major infrastructural projects that would benefit the region, passing through Afghanistan, including TAPI gas pipeline and the CASA-1000 electricity project.

This comes as efforts are underway to launch intra-Afghan talks in a bid to find a negotiated political settlement to end the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.

Washington signed a peace deal with Taliban group late in February in a bid to pave the way for further advancement of peace efforts in the country. However, there are concerns that the recent wave of violence could impede the peace process.