NEW YORK: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) chief Jens Stoltenberg has said US-Taliban agreement had opened a route to sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

In a statement, he said this could pave the way for negotiations among Afghans, sustainable peace and ensuring the country was never again a safe haven for terrorists.

In a tweet, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that his country and the Afghan Taliban had reached an understanding that could lead to a significant and nationwide reduction in violence across Afghanistan.

He described the latest development as an important step on a long road to peace and calling on Afghans to seize this opportunity.

He said Intra-Afghan negotiations would start soon that would build on this fundamental step to deliver a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire and the future political roadmap for Afghanistan.

After decades of conflict, we have come to an understanding with the Taliban on a significant reduction in violence across #Afghanistan. This is an important step on a long road to peace, and I call on all Afghans to seize this opportunity.

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) February 21, 2020

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