EU-Central Asian ministers discuss need for immediate ceasefire in Afghanistan

Officials from EU commissions and Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyz Republic held the 16th EU-Central Asia ministerial meeting Tuesday and agreed an immediate ceasefire was needed to advance the Afghan peace process, saying a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan free of terrorism is necessary for the development of the entire region.

EU officials and ministers from central Asian countries got together on Tuesday for the 16th EU-Central Asia ministerial meeting and discussed the situation in Afghanistan.

Among those present at the virtual meeting were the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the First Deputy Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission and European Commissioner for International Partnerships.

Delegates reaffirmed their joint commitment to forging a strong, ambitious and forward-looking partnership that builds upon the strong mutual interests between the two regions and reaffirmed their commitment to working together for peace, security, universal human rights, democracy and sustainable development in full respect for international law.

The participants agreed that a complete and immediate ceasefire was needed to advance the intra-Afghan reconciliation process, and a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan free of terrorism is necessary for the development of the entire region.

“In this context, participants reaffirmed their joint commitment to enhance cooperation to promote an inclusive peace process, the universal human rights of all Afghans and sustainable development in Afghanistan,” an EU statement read.