Russia, US hope for early start to Afghan talks

KABUL for intra-Afghan talks, reiterating their commitment to Afghan-owned peace process.

Acting Foreign Minister Hanif Atmar convened a virtual trilateral meeting among Afghanistan, Russia and the US on Monday evening, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

US and Russian special representatives Zalmay Khalilzad and Zamir Kabulov led their respective delegations at Monday’s video conference.

The three sides renewed their strong commitments to an Afghan-owned peace process and supported the preservation of Afghanistan’s achievements over the past 19 years.

Russia and the US welcomed the Afghan government’s commitment and progress towards releasing Taliban prisoners as a necessary step towards the early start of intra-Afghan negotiations.

The parties called on the Taliban to reciprocate the Kabul’s gesture by freeing all government prisoners in their custody consistent with their commitment in the agreement with the US.

They also called for a significant reduction in violence as a confidence-building measure The Afghan government’s proposal for the establishment of a monitoring mechanism for compliance with RiV measures and ensuring mutual accountability through the peace process was hailed as a positive contribution.

The meeting welcomed the readiness of both sides to the intra-Afghan talks for an early start of the negotiations and expected that an initial meeting between the two sides must be held immediately to agree on the agenda and next steps.

The three sides agreed to meet again on the progress made in the intra-Afghan negotiation process. Schedule and details of the next meeting will be worked out through diplomatic channels.

sa/mud