US, Turkey favour political settlement in Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): The US and Turkey believe next month’s Istanbul Summit provides the best means to speed up the Afghan peace process.

At the end of a four-day visit to Turkey by the American special envoy for Afghanistan reconciliation, the US embassy in Ankara said the two sides consulted on the timing, format and overall objectives and agenda of the event.

“They agreed that an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned conference, supported by high-level attendance from the international community, provides the best means to accelerate the peace process,” a statement from the embassy said.

According to the statement, American and Turkish officials also agreed to urge the Afghan parties to prepare for constructive participation in the conference.

On Tuesday, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad wrapped up his visit to Turkey, where discussed the upcoming Istanbul Summit on the Afghanistan peace process.

The planned Istanbul Summit was meant to help Afghan negotiators accelerate their efforts to end the war in Afghanistan, agree to a political settlement and a permanent ceasefire, the embassy said

The conference would complement peace negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban currently ongoing in Doha, the embassy statement said.

The US diplomat, who was in Turkey from March 26 to 29, met Turkish officials, including Presidential Advisor Ibrahim Kalin and Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal.

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