In reaction to Moscow’s bid to host a meeting on Afghan peace, the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said the talks will help the peace process and that the Russian government should respect an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
Reports indicate that the meeting will be held in Moscow on Tuesday, Feb. 5.
Reuters quoted a senior Russian official as saying that due to Taliban’s refusal to meet Afghan government representatives and the sensitivity of the situation, it was the best option not to have Afghan government officials at the table.
“Holding such meetings will not help us in reaching peace. We did not and do not see such meetings necessary and will not attend this meeting,” MoFA spokesman Sebghat Ahmadi said.
Ahmadi added that Afghanistan hopes that Russia respects an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
“We hope that Russia like other countries will express its commitment on recognizing Afghanistan’s role as leader and owner of the peace process,” Ahmadi said.
Indirectly commenting on the upcoming talks, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a press conference that Moscow is closely working with Pakistan on Afghan peace and anti-terror fight. She said Russia is concerned about Daesh activities.
“We are closely cooperating with Pakistan on counterterrorism efforts and Afghanistan peace. We are worried about the expansion of Daesh activities there,” Zakharova said.
The High Peace Council (HPC), meanwhile, said they support any action that facilitates face-to-face talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
“No doubt, we welcome the moves which are being taken for starting peace negotiations, facilitating peace process and supporting the process,” HPC spokesman Sayed Ehsan Taheri said.
“Both Taliban and the Afghan politicians have accepted the invitation for attending the meeting. I think the Taliban and politicians will share concerns they have about the peace process,” said Nazar Mohammad Mutmaen, a political affairs analyst.
On November 2018, Moscow hosted a meeting on Afghan peace which was attended by representatives of the Taliban and envoys from 11 countries including the United States.
From Afghanistan, a delegation of the High Peace Council had attended.
Mohammad Mohaqiq, the second deputy of chief executive of the National Unity Government; Mohammad Ismail Khan, a prominent member of Jamiat-e-Islami party; Atta Mohammad Noor, the former governor of Balkh; and former president Hamid Karzai reportedly will travel to Moscow to meet Taliban representatives on the Afghan peace.
Speaking at a gathering in Kabul on Friday, Mohaqiq said Afghanistan politicians have created a political opportunity for peace.
“He (President Ghani) does not want peace; he is enjoying the presidency. He says we will reach peace within the next five years, while 200 people are killed on a daily basis and, if we count it, it will be 680,000 people in one year. It means that peace will be achieved after the death of 680,000 people,” Mohaqiq said. “Afghanistan politicians and Jihadi leaders have created a political opportunity (for peace) and will bring peace with the help of the nation.”
This comes as representatives of over 40 countries attended the International Contact Group meeting in London this week where US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad and President Ashraf Ghani’s Special Representative on Regional Affairs for Consensus on Peace also participated. The participants announced their support to the Afghan peace process.