Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on peace negotiations with the Taliban.

It is our longstanding position that a political solution to the conflict is the only way to achieve lasting stability in Afghanistan and the wider region. The UK welcomes both the agreement between the US and the Taliban, and the Joint Declaration between the United States and the Afghan Government. It is vital that the next step is a credible and inclusive peace process. The UK remains in close contact with the US about the situation in Afghanistan, peace efforts and the continuing NATO commitment to the Afghan National Security Forces.