Joint Declaration between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States of America

for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, a member of the United Nations and recognized by the United

Afghanistan, 3) a political settlement resulting from intra-Afghan dialogue and negotiations between the

Taliban and an inclusive negotiating team of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and 4) a permanent and

comprehensive ceasefire. These four parts are interrelated and interdependent. Pursuit of peace after

long years of fighting reflects the goal of all parties who seek a sovereign, unified Afghanistan at peace

with itself and its neighbors.

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States have partnered closely since 2001 to respond

to threats to international peace and security and help the Afghan people chart a secure, democratic and

prosperous future. The two countries are committed to their longstanding relationship and their

investments in building the Afghan institutions necessary to establish democratic norms, protect and

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan welcomes the Reduction in Violence period and takes note of the

U.S.-Taliban agreement, an important step toward ending the war. The U.S-Taliban agreement paves the

way for intra-Afghan negotiations on a political settlement and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan reaffirms its readiness to participate in such negotiations and its

readiness to conclude a ceasefire with the Taliban.

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan furthermore reaffirms its ongoing commitment to prevent any

international terrorist groups or individuals, including al-Qa’ida and ISIS-K, from using Afghan soil to

threaten the security of the United States, its allies and other countries. To accelerate the pursuit of peace,

the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan confirms its support for the phased withdrawal of U.S. and Coalition

PART ONE

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States recognize that al-Qa’ida, ISIS-K and other

international terrorist groups or individuals continue to use Afghan soil to recruit members, raise funds,

train adherents and plan and attempt to conduct attacks that threaten the security of the United States, its

allies, and Afghanistan. To address this continuing terrorist threat, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

and the United States will continue to take the following steps to defeat al-Qa’ida, its affiliates, and other

international terrorist groups or individuals:

1. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan reaffirms its continued commitment not to cooperate with or

and other government institutions, including through ongoing efforts to enhance the ability of

Afghan security forces to deter and respond to internal and external threats, consistent with its

commitments under existing security agreements between the two governments. This

commitment includes support to Afghan security forces to prevent al-Qa’ida, ISIS-K, and other

international terrorist groups or individuals from using Afghan soil to threaten the United States

and its allies.

3. The United States re-affirms its readiness to continue to conduct military operations in

Afghanistan with the consent of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in order to disrupt and

degrade efforts by al-Qa’ida, ISIS-K, and other international terrorist groups or individuals to

4. The United States commits to facilitate discussions between Afghanistan and Pakistan to work

out arrangements to ensure neither country’s security is threatened by actions from the territory of

the other side.

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States have consulted extensively on U.S. and

Coalition force levels and the military activities required to achieve the foregoing commitments including

through support to Afghan security and defense forces. Subject to the Taliban’s fulfillment of its

commitments under the U.S.-Taliban agreement, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the United States,

1. The United States will reduce the number of U.S. military forces in Afghanistan to 8,600 and

implement other commitments in the U.S.-Taliban agreement within 135 days of the

announcement of this joint declaration and the U.S.-Taliban agreement, and will work with its

allies and the Coalition to reduce proportionally the number of Coalition forces in Afghanistan

over an equivalent period, subject to the Taliban’s fulfillment of its commitments under the U.S.-

Taliban agreement.

2. Consistent with the joint assessment and determination between the United States and the Islamic

Republic of Afghanistan, the United States, its allies, and the Coalition will complete the

withdrawal of their remaining forces from Afghanistan within 14 months following the

independently secure and defend itself against internal and external threats.

4. To create the conditions for reaching a political settlement and achieving a permanent, sustainable

ceasefire, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will participate in a U.S.-facilitated discussion

with Taliban representatives on confidence building measures, to include determining the

feasibility of releasing significant numbers of prisoners on both sides. The United States and

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will seek the assistance of the ICRC to support this discussion.

5. With the start of intra-Afghan negotiations, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan commits to start

diplomatic engagement with members of the UN Security Council to remove members of the

1. The United States will request the recognition and endorsement of the UN Security Council for

this agreement and related arrangements.

2. The United States and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan are committed to continue positive

relations, including economic cooperation for reconstruction.

3. The United States will refrain from the threat or the use of force against the territorial integrity or

political independence of Afghanistan or intervening in its domestic affairs.

4. The United States will continue to work to build regional and international consensus to support