The Afghanistan peace process is closely linked to the situation in the region

Abdul Salam Rahimy, Special Representative of the President and the State Minister for Peace said in a meeting with NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, Nicholas Kay and his delegation that the Afghanistan peace process is closely linked to the situation in the region.
Referring to the mutual effects of the countries in the region on the Afghanistan peace process, Mr. Rahimy said that the government wants NATO and other international partners to cooperate in this regard.
Special Representative of the President and the State Minister for Peace talked about the establishment of the Afghanistan Peace Support Group and said that numerous meetings were held with foreign officials and they welcomed the formation of this group. He added that we are in the preparation phase for holding the first Peace Support Group meeting soon.
The Special Representative of the President also talked about the activities of the State Ministry for Peace and said that we are working on the establishment of formations for greater participation of women, religious scholars, and other strata in the peace process. He said that the government is developing its capacity and readiness to advance the peace process.
Mr. Rahimy added that while the government is optimistic about the outcome of the Doha negotiations, it is also pursuing its peace efforts, and the Afghan government insists on cessation of violence before the start of direct talks with the Taliban.
Mentioning his recent meetings with the politicians, the State Minister for Peace said that Afghans are very united about the peace process than any other issue.
In this meeting, Nicholas Kay expressed hope for the peacemaking efforts of the Afghan people living in the villages and the cities, saying that the drug production and trafficking should also be fought.
Denoting the upcoming meeting of NATO members, he added that the presence of NATO troops in Afghanistan is based on its mission and that NATO will also contribute to the Afghanistan peace process.