Today 22 June, Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets chaired a high-level virtual meeting organised by Estonia at the UN Security Council on Afghanistan, reaffirming the continued commitment of the international community on the peace process and people of Afghanistan.
The foreign minister emphasised that our role in the Security Council was to keep the Afghanistan peace talks viable, offer every support to the continuation of the negotiations and encourage parties to cooperate on establishing peace. “Our responsibility as a penholder for Afghanistan at the UN Security Council is to stay up to date with the developments in Afghanistan and lead the negotiations on this topic. We must achieve a permanent ceasefire in the country and reach a political solution approved by all parties, which would help maintain the progress made so far and make it possible to carry out reforms that are vital for the country’s development. It is essential to ensure human rights for all people of Afghanistan so that they could contribute equally to the future of their homeland,” the foreign minister said.
Stopping criminal networks is crucial for ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan. “The people of Afghanistan are yearning for peace and stability but extremist violence there has prevented their wishes from coming true even after long decades. The growing number of civilian casualties and killings of active representatives of the civil society, journalists, judges and other activists even after the start of the peace negotiations reduce the chances of peace and sow fear and despair,” Liimets said. “The humanitarian situation in the country has deteriorated recently and human rights violations are increasing. Afghans need and deserve international support and therefore, we are calling on all parties to end violence and make an effort towards peace.”
However, over the past two decades, Afghanistan has made considerable progress, and democracy, fundamental freedoms and human rights, especially the rights of women, have become an integral part of the society. “Like other countries, Estonia is ready to offer Afghanistan both political and financial support provided the focus remains on the protection of human rights and democratic developments continue,” Liimets underscored.
In the coming months, the Security Council will have to decide on the future role and presence of the UN in Afghanistan. As penholders for Afghanistan, Estonia and Norway are leading Council discussions on reinforcing the mandate of the UN assistance mission in Afghanistan in line with the needs of Afghans.
Estonia’s statement in full: https://un.mfa.ee/statement-by-foreign-minister-eva-maria-liimets-in-the-security-council-vtc-meeting-on-afghanistan/