Direct talks between the Taliban and the government of Afghanistan in Doha in Qatar

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12 September 2020

Peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban begin in Qatar.

Qatar's Foreign Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, called on the parties to seize this historic opportunity to resolve the differences and called for further cooperation from the countries of the region.

For his part, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States supports a sovereign, united and indivisible Afghanistan, and urged the parties to "seize the opportunity" to ensure peace for the sake of future generations.   

The head of the Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation, Abdullah Abdullah, has called for a humanitarian ceasefire.

Abdullah, who thanked the world community and the US for supporting the start of peace talks, aims at an end to the war and a lasting peace that can allow the country to become a center of regional connectivity.

His brother, deputy leader and head of the Taliban political office, stressed the goal of achieving an inclusive peace.

"We want a united, independent and developed Afghanistan, with an Islamic system in which all citizens are equal without prejudice".

"The EU welcomes the launch of direct intra-Afghan negotiations, today in Doha".

This is the message from the European Union High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, launched on Twitter.

Borrell expressed the hope that "the launch of these negotiations will be the much needed and awaited beginning of a new and more peaceful chapter for Afghanistan".