If invited, Taliban to attend Moscow consultations

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): The Taliban, a Pakistani newspaper reported on Monday.

A dozen countries have been invited to regional consultations on stabilising Afghanistan in Moscow, which is once again evincing an interest in the conflict-devastated country.

Afghanistan, India, Iran. The US, some Central Asian states and the EU are expected to be invited to the April 14 meeting, according to The Express Tribune.

It said the Taliban, if invited, could participate in the Moscow huddle. “Our response will be positive if we get a formal invitation,” two Taliban officials told the daily.

Last week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul said Afghanistan would welcome Russia’s diplomatic efforts for peace and stability in the country.

On March 17, National Security Adviser Hanif Atmar visited Moscow. After talks with host officials, Atmar supported Russia’s peace efforts in Afghanistan.

“During my meeting with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, I received a confirmation that Moscow is committed to facilitation of peace in the region.

“In this context, contacts with the Taliban were only aimed at national reconciliation in Afghanistan. I was happy to hear that. Both of them assured me Russia is Afghanistan’s close friend,” Atmar told Sputnik.

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