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First round of direct peace talks in Afghanistan likely to happen in early March: QCG

Xinhua, February 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

The first round of direct peace talks between the Afghan government and all Taliban and other groups is expected to take place by the first week of March 2016 in Islamabad, said a joint press release issued here by the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) Tuesday.

The fourth round of QCG meeting, grouping Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States, kicked off in Kabul earlier in the day, which is expected to draw a roadmap of the national reconciliation of Afghanistan.

"The QCG member states invite all Taliban and other groups to participate through their authorized representatives in the first round of direct peace talks with Afghan government expected to take place by the first week of March, 2016," the press release said.

The third round of the four-nation meeting was held in Islamabad on Feb. 6 with calling upon the Taliban to join the peace process.

According to the press release, the QCG has welcomed the decision by Afghan and Pakistan government to constitute a bilateral joint working group to work with Ulema or religious scholars of both countries to support the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process through Fatwa or religious decrees against the ongoing senseless violence in Afghanistan.

The QCG also agreed to continue joint endeavors as part of their shared commitment to advance the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan, the release said.

It also added that the next QCG meeting will take place in Islamabad immediately after the first round of direct peace talks.

Taliban militants fighting against the government to regain power in Afghanistan have yet to make comments on the peace talks. Endit