US, EU call for Afghanistan ceasefire

The United States, the European Union, and NATO on Friday urged the Taliban to stop its military offensive in Afghanistan and engage in peace talks, ANI News reports.

"We call on the Taliban to end their military offensive, and on both the Islamic Republic and the Taliban to engage meaningfully in the peace process," the joint communique, issued by the US, EU, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, the UK and NATO," the US-Europe Communique on Afghanistan and Peace Efforts said on Friday.

The Special Representatives and Special Envoys of the US, the EU, France, Germany, Italy, NATO, Norway, and the UK met in Rome on July 22 to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and the developments in peace negotiations after the fresh round of talks in Doha.

The joint communique reiterated that the Taliban and the Afghan government must deliver on their commitments to prevent the use of Afghan soil by terrorist groups from launching attacks against any other country. They also spoke against hosting members of these groups nor allowing them to recruit, train, fundraise or transit through Afghanistan.

"The people of Afghanistan have suffered for too long from conflict. We are deeply concerned about the high levels of violence, the Taliban's military offensive, and the number of reported serious human rights abuses and violations alleged in communities most affected by the ongoing armed conflict across the country," the statement read.

The communique also called on all parties to reduce violence and protect civilians, respecting their obligations under international humanitarian law. "We reiterate the urgency of reaching a ceasefire to ensure the success of negotiations, and we acknowledge the sacrifices of the Afghan security forces."