Germany pledges support for peace in Afghanistan

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan

Reiterating Berlin’s support for war-ravaged Afghanistan, visiting German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel in Kabul on Wednesday underlined the significance of peaceful settlement of the conflict.

The German Minister met Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani at the Arg (Presidential Palace).

According to official sources, both leaders discussed issues ranging from security and reforms to political and economic stability.

Gabriel is the second German cabinet member to visit Afghanistan in just three days. On Monday, Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen visited the German troops in northern Balkh province.

The foreign minister hailed the reform process spearheaded by the Afghan President.

“Significant progress has been made in Afghanistan in recent years... Nevertheless, the country continues to face major challenges -- politically as well as socially, economically and militarily. The country's reform process needs to be further implemented, especially in the areas of the rule of law and the fight against corruption”, a statement by German Foreign Ministry quoted him as saying.

He also urged the Kabul government to ensure fair and peaceful elections, and strive for progress in intra-Afghan peace process.

Thanking Germany for its longstanding military, economic and social support, President Ghani asked the visiting minister to cooperate in reaching peace with Pakistan.

Ghani has long been blaming Pakistan for ‘waging undeclared war’ on Afghanistan, a charge Islamabad denies.

“In Afghanistan, and across the region, the active diplomacy by Germany has a good role and effective role”, the presidential palace quoted Ghani as saying.

The local Tolo News has quoted the German Minister saying that his country will use its influence to persuade Pakistan to stop “supporting” militant groups that are waging war against Afghanistan.

“Our diplomats are engaging in negotiations with the Pakistani officials and these talks will continue in the future to persuade this country stop supporting those groups which are creating problems in Afghanistan,” added Gabriel.

During her trip, the German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen expressed the desire to increase the number of German troops in Afghanistan. “The soldiers, and especially the trainers, are telling me: We have enough trainers but we could do significantly more if we had better protective components, more security personnel,” she said.

Germany has up to 980 soldiers stationed in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission (RSM).