Hungary welcomes the US-Taliban peace pact "as a historic step towards re-establishing peace in Afghanistan and restoring regional stability", the foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

The agreement lays the foundations for Afghan reconciliation talks and paves the way for a major reduction in international military forces while preventing terrorist groups from exploiting Afghanistan's territory to threaten peaceful nations, the statement said. With a responsible attitude and a willingness to compromise, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan bears responsibility for fostering a lasting peace settlement, the ministry said. "Hungary fully supports these efforts," it added. Hungary will continue to help promote security and stability in Afghanistan as part of NATO's mission there, as well as through its financial support for Afghan security forces, the statement said.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)