NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters on Friday that he strongly supports and welcomes the talks which are now taking place between the United States and Taliban.

He also welcomed that close coordination between the United States and other NATO allies on this issue. 

“We strongly support the work to establish inter-Afghan dialogue because the Afghan government has to be part of a peace process," he said. "We have to do whatever we can to preserve the gains we have made in Afghanistan – to avoid Afghanistan becoming a safe haven once again for international terrorists and to maintain the enormous social and economic progress which has been made in Afghanistan not least when it comes to the rights of women.”  

Stoltenberg said that there are many challenges ahead but he welcomes the fact that "we are making progress in the dialogue with Taliban".

He said that the US and NATO will make decisions on their future presence together and when the time is right they will leave together. 

“What is certain is that we will do this together. Because there is a NATO mission in Afghanistan with around 16,000 troops. And non-US Allies and partners have been in Afghanistan for many many years – for almost close to 20 years. And we went in together,” Stoltenberg said. 

This comes as US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad on Friday wrapped up his two-day visit to Islamabad where he met with Pakistani Prime Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa. 

Khalilzad said he briefed Pakistani officials on the Afghan peace process and that they discussed Pakistan’s role in support of the process and additional positive steps they can take.

“Peace will require reliable assurances from Afghanistan and Pakistan that neither side’s territory is used to threaten the other,” he said.  

The US envoy said that such assurances on top of an intra-Afghan comprehensive peace agreement will allow increased regional economic integration, connectivity, and development. 

“These are hopeful times and the two countries should be ready to seize emerging opportunities,” Khalilzad concluded. 

On July 31, the US envoy wrapped up his “most productive” visit to Afghanistan where the US and Afghan governments agreed on next steps in the peace process.   

Khalilzad said he will travel to Doha for next round of talks with the Taliban after a stop in Islamabad.

“In Doha, if the Taliban do their part, we will do ours, and conclude the agreement we have been working on,” Khalilzad said on July 31.