Leading MEPs welcome the political agreement on power-sharing in Afghanistan
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27. Mai 2020 In Aktuell, EN

Leading MEPs welcome the political agreement on power-sharing in Afghanistan

  • Agreement is a necessary sign of unity
  • Call on shareholders to implement the deal unreservedly
  • Condemnation of the attack on maternity hospital in Kabul


Joint statement of the Chairs for the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Delegation for relations with Afghanistan on the power-sharing political agreement in Afghanistan

Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs David McAllister (EPP, DE) and Chair of the Delegation for relations with Afghanistan Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) issued the following statement on Wednesday:

“We welcome the political agreement to form an inclusive government. This sign of unity is a necessary step given the pressing challenges posed by Afghanistan’s security situation, the fragile livelihoods of people and the spread of COVID-19.

The agreement will allow the comprehensive peace process to begin, which is a precondition to ending four decades of death and destruction and to bringing stability, security and peace to Afghanistan. Due to its importance, we call upon all stakeholders to implement this deal unreservedly.

On behalf of our colleagues in the European Parliament, we express our sincerest condolences to the families of the victims of the recent terrorist attack on a maternity hospital in Kabul and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. We also express our highest appreciation of the international aid workers for carrying out their work under hardship conditions.

These barbaric acts, which constitute severe crimes against humanity, only confirm the urgent need for tireless efforts to advance the peace talks.

We assure the continuous solidarity and support of the European Union to the Afghan people, its government and security forces during this challenging endeavour. As a first step, we call upon all stakeholders in Afghanistan to put in place an immediate and permanent ceasefire.”

Background

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and his chief political rival, former Chief Executive Officer Dr Abdullah Abdullah signed a power-sharing agreement on 17 May, two months after both declared themselves the winner of last September’s presidential election. The deal offers to Dr Abdullah’s allies half of all cabinet positions and regional governorships. Dr Abdullah will become the Chair of the National Reconciliation High Commission, the body responsible for the peace process. The Agreement should pave the way for stable political leadership in the country.

In the terrorist attack on 12 May on a maternity hospital in Kabul run by Médecins Sans Frontières, 14 civilians were killed, including babies and their mothers.