KABUL, Afghanistan: The Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) of Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United States and China Monday called on all the Taliban groups to enter into early talks with the Afghan government to resolve all differences politically in accordance with the will and aspirations of the entire Afghan nation and the desire and support of the Group for a lasting peace.
The participants of the QCG in a joint statement after its second meeting on the Afghan Peace and Reconciliation Process held here once again emphasized the need for an end to the senseless violence against the Afghan people.
The QCG countries agreed that all forms of terrorism presented a grave threat to the countries, the region and the world.
The members indicated their commitment to a robust effort to eliminate all forms of terrorist groups, regardless of their national origin, operating in their respective territories.
The delegations were led by Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, the US Ambassador to Afghanistan Michael McKinley and China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Ambassador Deng Xijun, said a joint press release.
The QCG member countries further stressed upon friendly, mutually respectful and cooperative relations among them to create an enabling environment for the peace process in Afghanistan, which would help ensure the security, stability, prosperity, and interests of the region.
Taking note of the joint statement of January 11, and building on the outcome of the first meeting of the QCG, the group discussed and made progress on a roadmap towards initiating peace talks with Taliban groups that reflected the shared commitments of the QCG member countries.
The roadmap aimed to set specific measures that were necessary for creating a conducive environment for the commencement of Afghan led, Afghan owned peace talks between representatives of the Government of Afghanistan and representatives of Taliban groups aimed at reduction of violence and establishing lasting peace in Afghanistan and the region.
The QCG agreed to continue regular meetings to advance the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan and decided to hold its next meeting on February 6 in Islamabad.
Source: APP
