Khalilzad hails ‘breakthrough’ in Doha peace talks

KABUL (Pajhwok): US special envoy for reconciliation in Afghanistan on Wednesday welcomed a preliminary deal reached between the Afghan government and Taliban negotiators in Doha to press on with peace talks

“I welcome the news from #Doha that the two Afghan sides have reached a significant milestone: A three-page agreement codifying rules and procedures for their negotiations on a political roadmap and a comprehensive ceasefire,” Khalilzad tweeted after the development.

The Afghan government and Taliban representatives said on Wednesday they had reached a preliminary deal to press on with peace talks.

The agreement lays out the way forward for further discussion but is considered a breakthrough because it will allow negotiators to move on to more substantive issues, including talks on a ceasefire.

“The procedure including its preamble of the negotiation has been finalised and from now on, the negotiation will begin on the agenda,” Nader Nadery, a member of the Afghan government’s negotiating team, told Reuters news agency.

Khalilzad said the agreement demonstrated that the negotiating parties could agree on tough issues. “We congratulate both sides on their perseverance. We thank #Qatar

for its facilitating role as host.”

He said the people of Afghanistan now expected rapid progress on a political roadmap and a ceasefire. “We understand their desire and we support them.”

The envoy said as negotiations on a political roadmap and permanent ceasefire had begun, they would work hard with all sides for serious reduction of violence and even a ceasefire during this period. “This is what the Afghan people want and deserve.”

The agreement comes after months of discussions in Doha, the capital of Qatar, in negotiations encouraged by the United States.

UN envoy for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons welcomed the “positive development” on Twitter, adding that “this breakthrough should be a springboard to reach the peace wanted by all Afghans.”

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