Afghan Politicians who plan to attend the summit on February 4-5 said in a joint statement that they will “defend” national and democratic values.
The statement says the summit hold “special importance” and is “the first step towards an intra-Afghan dialogue”.
According to the statement, the delegation will attend the meeting while “having a deep feeling about their historical obligation” at a juncture where “the people of Afghanistan are desperately waiting for tangible improvements in the peace talks”.
Meanwhile, the statement outlines the talks’ agenda and says the Afghan delegation will insist on the following principles:
• Protecting and strengthening the Islamic Republic system
• Afghanistan is the shared home for all Afghans
• Following Islamic and national values
• Insisting on maintaining (keeping) a powerful and democratic central government
• Strengthening national unity and ensuring social justice
• The principle of impartiality of Afghanistan in regional and world conflicts
• To ensure that policies match the modern world’s measures while protecting religious and national values
The statement also said the delegation will insist on the following issues regarding the peace process and the next steps:
• Supporting the US efforts for the (Afghan) peace process led by (US Special Envoy) Zalmay Khalilzad
• Insisting on a ceasefire amid the start of intra-Afghan talks
• Insisting on continuation of intra-Afghan talks aimed at ending the war and bloodshed in the country
• Ensuring that Afghanistan is safe from threats and interference by foreign countries
• Assuring the international community that Afghanistan’s territory will not be a threat (to other countries)
• Ensuring that women’s right to education, work, political, economic and social activities is ensured
• Insisting on fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of Afghanistan
• Insisting and getting assurance that sustainable peace and stability are ensured in the country
Afghan politicians that will attend the talks include former president, Hamid Karzai; former vice president, Mohammad Yunus Qanuni; former Balkh governor and Jamiat-e-Islami member, Atta Mohammad Noor; Jamiat-e-Islami member, Mohammad Ismail Khan; second deputy chief executive and Wahday party member, Mohammad Mohaqiq; head of National Islamic Front of Afghanistan, Sayed Hamid Gailani; former member of Taliban, Abdul Salam Zaeef; Zabihullah Mujaddedi, son of former president, Sebghatullah Mujaddedi; and Zia Massoud, Jamiat member and President Ashraf Ghani’s former special envoy on reforms.
However, the statement did not confirmed participation of any member of the Peace Council.
