In a meeting with Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special envoy for Afghanistan reconciliation, President Ghani said Afghanistan wants the Taliban to clarify their relationship with Pakistan, as well as Pakistan, to clarify the basis of its relationship with the Taliban.
At this meeting which was held in ARG, Zalmay Khalilzad as well as the members of the Peace Consultative Board, a number of negotiating staff, political parties, Ulema, members of civil society, youth, women, representatives of the private sector, representatives of the National assembly and cabinet members were present.
Ashraf Ghani said at the meeting that in recent days a lot of key issues have been clarified about the peace process and more and more common action is needed in order to achieve lasting peace and prosperity.
“We are working for a common cause of peace,” he said, adding that the full confidence and solid relationship between the Afghan government and United States were strengthened on the basis of mutual interests.
The president added that they have agreed with Mr Khalilzad to a new and clear work approach through which the information will be shared and consultation will be made on specific agendas.
Ghani said that he wants the Taliban’s connection to the terrorist networks and crime economy to be made clear.
At the meeting, Zalmay Khalilzad also said that through the new work approach, there will be an advance in the peace process.
“We are serious about the central role of Afghan government and the people of Afghanistan in peace, but we want a lasting peace in which all values are preserved and be an endgame to 40-year-old crisis in Afghanistan,” he added.
Khalilzad, while pointing out the importance of the region in the peace process, stated: “We are seeking peace and our goal is the end of the war, but we are not in favor of just any kind of peace and Pakistan must cooperate in the peace process.”
“We discussed with the Taliban four issues, including how the Taliban is linked to al-Qaeda, the presence of US troops, direct talks with the Afghan government, and an inclusive, comprehensive and permanent cease-fire, and until all four issues are agreed, we can not say that there is a progress in talks”, he explained.
Khalilzad also supported and encouraged the initiative of President Ghani to announce the launch of the Peace Consultative Loya Jirga.
