EU: "US-Taliban Doha Agreement, an Important First Step Toward the Peace Process"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] On the 29th (local time), the European Union (EU) evaluated the peace agreement between the United States and the Afghan armed group 'Taliban' as "an important first step toward a comprehensive peace process."

Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who oversees the EU's external policies, stated in a press release that "we must not miss the current opportunity to move toward peace." He added, "The EU hopes that the Afghan-led negotiations will begin without delay and is ready to assist the Afghan peace process."

Earlier, representatives from both the United States and the Taliban signed a peace agreement in Doha, Qatar, to end 18 years of armed conflict. This is known as the 'Doha Agreement.' According to the agreement, the Taliban promised not to allow extremist armed groups such as Al-Qaeda to use Afghanistan as a base to attack the United States and its allies. In return, the United States agreed to withdraw all U.S. troops and NATO international coalition forces deployed in Afghanistan within 14 months.

Additionally, by February 10th, 5,000 Taliban members imprisoned by the international coalition and Afghan government forces and 1,000 Afghan soldiers held captive by the Taliban will be exchanged.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.