Kabul
The Afghan government and Taliban representatives said on Wednesday they had reached a preliminary deal to press on with peace talks. This will be their first written agreement in 19 years of war and has been welcomed by the United Nations and Washington.
The agreement lays out the way forward for further discussion and 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. The Taliban spokesman confirmed the same on Twitter.
The agreement comes after months of discussions in Doha, the capital of Qatar, in negotiations encouraged by the United States. In Afghanistan, the two sides are still at war, with Taliban attacks on government forces continuing unabated.
Meanwhile, taking to Twitter, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad revealed the Afghanistan peace process has reached a “significant milestone” with the two sides agreeing on the rules and procedures for a comprehensive ceasefire and political roadmap.
Zalmay said that the two sides had recognised a three-page agreement that codifies rules and procedures for negotiations on a political roadmap and a “comprehensive ceasefire”. Khalilzad praised the development, saying that it was proof that both parties to the conflict can “agree on tough issues”.
“We congratulate both sides on their perseverance. We thank #Qatar for its facilitating role as host,” he tweeted. The US envoy said that as negotiations seeking a political roadmap and comprehensive ceasefire begin, the US will work hard for “serious reduction in violence and even a ceasefire during this period”.
Pakistan has been instrumental in persuading the Afghanistan government and the Taliban to discuss options for peace. The move by Islamabad aims to put an end to the conflict that has been raging for the past 19 years in Afghanistan now.
However, Islamabad has time and again warned the world against spoilers in the peace process, saying that New Delhi was against peace and stability in the war-torn country.
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”.
Meanwhile, Pakistan welcomes the announcement regarding the agreement reached on rules and procedures by the Afghan parties in Doha. This is another significant step forward.
The agreement reflects a common resolve of the parties to secure a negotiated settlement. It is an important development contributing towards a successful outcome of Intra-Afghan Negotiations, which we all hope for.
Pakistan will continue to support Intra-Afghan Negotiations, culminating in an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political solution paving the way for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.—Reuters
