Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili welcomed the signing of a peace agreement by the Taliban and the United States on February 29, following talks in a bid to end a long-running conflict in Afghanistan. “As one of the largest and oldest contributors to the mission in Afghanistan, Georgia applauds the steps taken toward lasting peace,” tweeted Zurabishvili on the same day.
I welcome the signing of the #peaceagreement in Afghanistan. As one of the largest and oldest contributors to the mission in #Afghanistan, Georgia applauds the steps taken toward lasting peace.
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) February 29, 2020
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia hailed President Donald Trump’s peace plan and vowed that Georgia will continue to stand with the U.S. “to see the agreement’s conditions are met.”
Today marks an important moment. President Trump’s peace plan will bring real progress toward ending the war in Afghanistan. #Georgia will continue to stand with the US to see the agreement’s conditions are met. @realDonaldTrump
— Giorgi Gakharia (@GakhariaGiorgi) February 29, 2020
The peace deal was also endorsed by Davit Zalkaliani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. Georgia’s chief diplomat called fostering peace and stability in Afghanistan “critical” for regional and global security.
#Georgia welcomes the signing of the agreement between the U.S. and Taliban as a historic step towards lasting peace in #Afghanistan. Full implementation is a key. Peace and stability in Afghanistan is critical for regional and global security. #AfghanPeaceProcess
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) February 29, 2020
U.S. and Taliban representatives signed an agreement after months of strenuous negotiations in Doha, Qatar. The deal paves the way for the U.S. to gradually end its military presence in Afghanistan.
Georgia is the largest non-NATO contributor to the Resolute Support Mission, maintaining 870 servicemen on Afghan soil. Since the initial deployment in 2004, 32 Georgian soldiers have died while serving in the NATO-led missions.
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