KABUL, 5 June, 2021 (TON): Reaffirming continued support the Afghan people and the government, the European Union's new special envoy Tomas Niklasson said on Friday, violence must stop and peace talks should move from procedures to substantial negotiations.

“As the troops are withdrawing, the EU’s intention is to stay in Afghanistan - continuing our support to the people,” he added “The violence must stop and the peace talks must move from discussions on procedures to substantial negotiations. I would be happy the day sanctions on the Taliban could be lifted. For that to happen we need to see significant progress in the peace process and a stop to violence.”

“Our first call is on a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire,” he said while talking to Tolo news.

Niklasson said that he will travel to Pakistan and Qatar to garner support for the Afghan peace process. 

“The EU is ready to continue its engagement with the Afghan people and with the Afghan government, but it is an opportunity for the Afghan people now to come together to leadership, to leave narrow interests behind them and to raise up to the occasion,” he said.

He asked the Afghan government to fight against corruption and deliver on its promises towards human rights and children's rights.

“The EU is ready to continue its cooperation as a reliable partner, but we expect that the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will respect its international commitments, its commitments to the rights of women, its commitments to the rights of children and to continue to fight corruption,” he said.

Since the Taliban’s fall in 2001, the European Union (EU) has been a major contributor to Afghanistan.