UN mission in Afghanistan praises four-nation meeting on peace talks

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Tuesday welcomed the positive start made by the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) in its work on the Afghan peace and reconciliation process, the mission said in a statement.

"UNAMA notes the recognition by all QCG participants at the meeting held yesterday in Islamabad of the immediate need for direct talks between representatives of the government of Afghanistan and representatives from Taliban groups. The QCG is composed of officials from Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the United States," the statement said.

On Monday, senior officials from the four countries met in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad to work for the revival of stalled peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban representatives.

"This renewed commitment to an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process is of real importance," Nicholas Haysom, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, was quoted in the statement as saying.

"We hope all parties will use this opportunity to engage in this process to bring an end to the terrible conflict in Afghanistan." he added.

The first round of face-to-face talks between Taliban and the Afghan government was held in Pakistan in July but the second round was cancelled after the death of the Taliban leader, Mullah Omar, was revealed.

The UNAMA supports all efforts to establish a peace process and will continue to offer its good offices in any facilitative role, while respecting that any peace process must be Afghan-owned and led, according to the statement.

Second round of QCG meeting is set to be held in Kabul later this month. Enditem