Berlin, May 14, IRNA -- German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle here Tuesday stressed the need to promote inner-Afghan reconciliation aimed at bringing durable peace to the war-stricken country.
Addressing the opening meeting of the International Contact Group on Afghanistan and Pakistan, Westerwelle said, ˈOnly a political process of inter-Afghan reconciliation can bring about lasting peace in Afghanistan. This process should be supported both by Afghanistanˈs neighbours and by the international community.ˈ
He warned a lasting in Afghanistan may ˈyet take some time to achieveˈ, saying the path to restoring peace and stability in that country ˈremained a difficult oneˈ.
More than 50 German soldiers have reportedly been killed in Afghanistan since the start of the highly controversial NATO-led war in that country in late 2001.
Most Germans remain deeply opposed to the military mission in Afghanistan.
Berlin hopes to conclude the withdrawal by late 2014, depending on the overall Afghan security situation, however plans to keep hundreds of troops in Afghanistan as military trainers and advisors after the pullout.
