Direct talks between Afghan govt, Taliban stressed

Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, US also ask for ending conflict

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the United States on Monday emphasised the immediate need for direct talks between representatives of the Afghan government and Taliban groups in a peace process that is aimed to preserve Afghanistan’s unity sovereignty and territorial integrity.

This was emphasised during the first meeting of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) of Afghanistan, Pakistan the United States and China on Afghan peace and reconciliation process held here on Monday.

The delegations were led by Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hakmet Khalil Karzai, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Richard G Olson and China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Ambassador Deng Xijun.

The participants underscored the importance of bringing an end to the conflict in Afghanistan that continues to inflict senseless violence on the Afghan people and also breeds insecurity throughout the region, a joint statement issued here said.

The Group reiterated the commitment of their countries to the realisation of the objectives expressed in their statement from the quadrilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia Conference in Islamabad on December 9, 2015. Building on the outcome of December 9 trilateral and quadrilateral meetings, they considered mutual efforts to facilitate an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process with a view to achieving lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.

The discussion focussed on undertaking a clear and realistic assessment of the opportunities for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan, anticipated obstacles and measures that would help create conducive environment for peace talks with the shared goal of reducing violence and establishing lasting peace in Afghanistan.

The meeting adopted the terms for the work of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group and agreed to continue regular meetings to advance the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

The group would hold discussions on a roadmap in its next meeting to be held on January 18, 2016 in Kabul.