Another round of negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban have been decided to take place in Qatar in January, a top official revealed on Sunday.
“The second round of talks will begin on January 5 in Doha,” said Faraidoon Khwazoon, spokesman for Afghanistan’s High Council for National Reconciliation, in charge of the general peace process in the country.
“The leadership committee of the council decided to hold the talks in Doha,” he tweeted, adding that “many of the countries that applied to host the talks withdrew their applications because of COVID- 19.”
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani met with Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation this morning at the Presidential Palace, the Afghan presidency revealed on Twitter. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah discussed with President the next meeting of leadership committee of the High Council for National Reconciliation, while also aiming to finalize the venue and time for the next round of peace talks.
“President Ghani said the Government of Afghanistan along with Peace Process Support Group will move forward to the next round of peace talks,” said the Presidency.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office previously stated that Pakistan has continued to emphasize that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict and solution of the conflict through a political process is the only way forward.
Pakistan has also expressed its deep concern at the increasing level of violence in Afghanistan during the current year. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, on several occasions, has reiterated his calls for reduction in violence leading to ceasefire, the FO added, emphasizing the importance of ‘pro-active measures’ being undertaken by the Afghan government.
