Afghan delegations express optimism after first official talks with Taliban

Afghan Peace delegations in their first official face to face discussion with Taliban have agreed on four issues.

Delegations from Afghanistan government in their first official meeting expressed optimism; adding this round of negotiations had major differences and was promising.

As the Afghan delegation returned to Kabul, they announced in a press conference that in a 4 hours talk they have reached the following agreements:

1: Preparing a list of both sides demands in the next meeting

2: Honesty in negotiations

3: Highlighting the challenges and lasting peace in Afghanistan

4: Agreement on holding the second round of meeting after Eid

The talks in an unannounced location in in Murree, a hill station north of Islamabad come after repeated informal meetings between Taliban and government representatives, most recently hosted by Qatar and Norway.

The nascent talks have brought no let up in the Taliban’s summer offensive, as the militants launched two suicide attacks in Kabul just hours before Tuesday’s meeting in Islamabad.

The Afghan High Peace Council (HPC) delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai — the first time such a senior government figure has publicly met the militants.

It has been said that as Taliban representatives, Abdul Latif Mansoor and Mullah Abas Akhond and from Haqqani network Hajji Ibrahim brother of Jalaluddin Haqqani attended to the meeting who are the key Taliban officials, according to Afghan delegations.

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his Special Representative in Afghanistan Nicholas Haysom have welcomed direct talks held between Afghan Government and Taliban representatives in Islamabad, Pakistan – urging both parties to move towards reconciliation and peace.

In a statement issued today by his spokesperson in New York, Mr. Ban welcomed the direct talks between Afghan Government and Taliban representatives, which were held yesterday in Pakistan.

“[The Secretary-General] reiterates his support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process. He expresses his appreciation for the commitment of the parties and the constructive role of the host, Pakistan,” said the statement.

In a separate news release, Mr. Haysom, who is also head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also welcomed direct talks and urged both parties to move towards reconciliation and peace.

The delegation, however, appeared to lack any female representation, despite Mr. Ghani’s repeated promises that women would be included in talks with the Taliban.