Brussels - information office - 9 July

The EU expressed Tuesday their satisfaction with the outcomes of the intra-Afghan Dialogue that concluded yesterday in Doha, saying it marks an important step towards achieving peace in the country.

Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Maja Kocijancic said in the statement that "The European Union will continue to concretely support, politically and financially, an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process that preserves and builds on the political, economic and social achievements of the people of Afghanistan since 2001."

"To this aim, the EU is working with the Afghan Government and all other interlocutors to ensure that peace negotiations are inclusive and respectful of the wish of Afghans to live in a peaceful, secure and prosperous country, where rights are upheld and vulnerable groups protected," it added.

The spokesperson also praised the meeting, which brought together a number of Afghans, including politicians representing all major political strands, Taliban and civil activists, in their personal capacity, to pave the way for formal negotiations. She stressed the EU's welcoming of the results of the meeting which was held amid ongoing U.S.-Taliban talks, expressing hope that will be the start of an inclusive peace process.

HE Minister of Foreign Affairs' Special Envoy for Counterterrorism and Mediation in Conflict Resolution Dr. Mutlaq bin Majid Al Qahtani has announced the success of the two-day Afghan Peace talks held in Doha under the auspices of the State of Qatar and Germany.