Turkey to host meeting on Afghan peace late in March

Sources told ArianaNews on Wednesday that Turkey will host a meeting on Afghan peace process on 27 March.

According to the sources the meeting will be take place in Ankara, capital of Turkey.

This comes after the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, said in a letter to President Ashraf Ghani, that a meeting facilitated by the UN will be hosted in Turkey to discuss the Afghan peace process.

Taliban delegation, Afghan government representatives, and foreign countries will participate .

Meanwhile, Anadolu Agency reported that Turkey is ready to mediate between the talks teams.

“Afghanistan is a very important country for us,” said Omer Celik, spokesman for the Justice and Development (AK) Party, quoted by Anadolu Agency.

According to Celik “Turkey is ready to be involved in all kinds of mediation efforts for peace in Afghanistan and the region.”

Taliban political office in Doha said that they have not decided yet on whether will participate in the meeting or not.

The Afghan government also did not comment about its participation in the meeting.

On the other hand, United Nation Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said Deborah Lyons, head of the mission, discussed the Afghan peace process with Taliban and government’s negotiating teams in Doha.

According to UNAMA Deborah Lyons “underscored UN’s continued commitment to work with the parties in ending the conflict and reaching an inclusive peace settlement.”

The Afghan State Ministry for Peace said the UN envoy urged the international community to respect Afghans and Afghan government’s demands.

“The UN Envoy in a meeting with Islamic republic negotiation team emphasized on acceleration of peace talks… and a ceasefire,” said Najia Anwari, spokeswoman for the ministry.

This comes as Russia is planning to host a meeting on the Afghan peace process on 18 March in Moscow and Afghan government, Taliban, and Afghan political parties have been invited to the meeting.