We authorized to talk all issues leading to peace: Abdullah

KABUL (Pajhwok): High Council for National Reconciliation chairman Dr Abdullah Abdullah on Saturday said the Afghan government delegation has the authority to talk on all issues that could lead to a peace agreement.

Mediated by Qatar, peace talks between Afghan government and Taliban began in Doha on Saturday. A 10-member Afghan delegation led by Dr. Abdullah is taking part in the talks.

The government chief negotiator thanked Qatar for hosting the Afghan peace talks with great sincerity for a long time.

He hoped that the meeting would yield good results for peace and prosperity in the country and finally end the longest tragedy and war in the country.

He said the Afghans were going through hard times as fighting had intensified and the main victims were civilians.

Before leaving for Qatar, he said, all leadership and political leaders had comprehensive consultations and the only message of all was that the conflict in Afghanistan could not be resolved through war and a political solution must be reached.

“I want to make it clear that all participants in this meeting represent all the tribes and communities of Afghanistan and our message is unity, participation and taking the country out of the current crisis,” he said.

The HCNR chief added both sides needed to show flexibility and a regional and international consensus had been made on peace in the country.

Abdullah emphasized that the people of Afghanistan wanted the international community to continue its support and cooperation in the peace process and welcome Qatar’s mediation.

“The people of Afghanistan are the main victims of the ongoing violence,” he remarked.

Maintaining the achievements of the last 20 years in various fields required the cooperation of the international community, although each had a different perception of these achievements.

He said the delegation of Afghanistan had the authority to negotiate on all issues that could lead to an agreement for peace. “We are here get huge advantage of this opportunity,” he added.

Abdullah added any huge problem and matter could be solved through consultation, honesty and in the best interests of the country.

He hoped the two-day meeting would help advance the ongoing negotiations process and swift action could be taken.

The main talks between the Taliban and the government began after the opening remarks from both sides.

sa/ma