Russia hosted the quadrilateral meeting involving representatives from Russia, the United States, China and Pakistan. The peace process in Afghanistan was a key agenda item.
US envoy for Afghan reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad represented Washington at the meeting that was held in Moscow on Friday, according to media reports.
The participants called for coordination among countries involved in the Afghan peace efforts in the next steps. The negotiators were told an intra-Afghan dialogue would be held next week in China.
Negotiations were the only road to peace in Afghanistan, including an early resumption of direct US talks with the Taliban, the participants agreed.
In a statement the end of the meetings, China, Russia and Pakistan asked the US to return to talks with the Taliban and sign a deal that will enable Afghans to start face-to-face discussions.
Political analysts, welcoming the Moscow meeting, believe Russia and China could play notable roles in the Afghan peace process.
The United States seems interested in restarting peace negotiations with Taliban. President Donald Trump called off talks with the rebel group after an attack in Kabul that killed an American soldier last month.
“Pakistan is committed to Afghan peace and we are ready for cooperation with this process,” said Mohammad Faisal, the Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman.
The government did not participate in the meeting. President Ghani’s office had earlier said the peace process should be led and owned by Afghans.
Russia has hosted intra-Afghan meetings in recent months to help end the war as continued instability is encouraging terrorist groups.
sa/mud
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