The Geneva Agreement on Afghanistan was a historic agreement signed in 1988 between Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Soviet Union, and the United States. The agreement aimed to end the Soviet-Afghan War, which had been ongoing since 1979, and to create a framework for a peaceful political solution to the conflict.
The agreement was signed on April 14, 1988, in Geneva, Switzerland, after months of negotiations. The signing ceremony was attended by the foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Soviet Union, and the United States, as well as representatives of other countries and international organizations.
The Afghan delegation was led by the country`s president, Mohammad Najibullah, who had come to power in 1986 after the Soviet-backed government of Afghanistan collapsed. The Pakistani delegation was led by the country`s prime minister at the time, Benazir Bhutto. The Soviet delegation was headed by the country`s foreign minister, Eduard Shevardnadze, while the United States` delegation was led by Secretary of State George Shultz.
The Geneva Agreement had several key provisions, including a cease-fire between Soviet and Afghan forces, the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, and the establishment of a transitional government in Afghanistan. The agreement also called for the non-interference of foreign powers in Afghanistan`s internal affairs and for the creation of a mechanism for the repatriation of Afghan refugees.
The Geneva Agreement was seen as a significant milestone in the history of Afghanistan and the region. It marked the end of a long and bloody conflict that had devastated the country and claimed the lives of thousands of people. It also paved the way for a political solution to the conflict, which ultimately led to the formation of a new government in Afghanistan.
In conclusion, the Geneva Agreement on Afghanistan was a historic agreement signed in 1988 between Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Soviet Union, and the United States. The agreement aimed to end the Soviet-Afghan War and to create a framework for a peaceful political solution to the conflict. The signing ceremony was attended by the foreign ministers of the four countries, including Mohammad Najibullah, Benazir Bhutto, Eduard Shevardnadze, and George Shultz. The agreement had several key provisions, including a cease-fire, the withdrawal of Soviet troops, and the establishment of a transitional government in Afghanistan. The Geneva Agreement was seen as a significant milestone in the history of Afghanistan and the region, and it paved the way for a political solution to the conflict.