Foreign Minister of Norway Espen Barth Eide tells Aftenposten that Norway was chosen as host for the negotiations because of the country’s long-term commitment to Afghanistan.
– We are in a situation where we can talk people who can not be in direct contact with each other, says foreign minister, adding that the talks in Norway has had the full support of the U.S., the Karzai government and Qatar.
Frp is skeptical about Norway’s negotiating role
Member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in Parliament for the Progress Party (FrP), Jan Arild Ellingsen criticized Norway’s role as peace mediator. He said Taliban has killed Norwegian soldiers and claimed that it is wrong to facilitate negotiations with the rebel movement. Ellingsen also points out that Norway has spent large sums of money in fight with Taliban.
– The former Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Espen Barth Eide said that Afghans themselves must find the solution in Afghanistan. Why should we spend taxpayers’ money on negotiations. Let them find the solution on their own, says the FrP politician.
