The government of Afghanistan and the Taliban group have agreed on procedural rules for peace talks to end the country’s 19 years of conflict.
The terms, which consist of 21 articles, have been “approved” by both parties to break weeks of stalemate, Mohammad Naeem, a spokesman for the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, where they have a political office, said on Twitter.
A member of IRA Peace Negotiation team, Nader Naderi also said, the negotiation teams of both sides have ONLY agreed in principle to the 21 articles of the rules and procedures, with the exception of the introduction because it requires further discussion & clarification.
“Therefore in the joint meeting on Nov 17, 2020 in the presence of the host country, it was decided that the rules and procedures will only be considered final once it is presented to the general meeting of both delegations & approved there,” Naderi said.
The peace deal the U.S. signed with the militants on Feb. 29 requires the Taliban to cut ties with all terrorist groups, including Al-Qaeda, in exchange for troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The U.S. has started withdrawing forces from the country and will reduce its troops to 2,500 from 4,500 by Jan. 15, with more scheduled leave by May.
The Afghan government expressed concern over what it considers a premature withdrawal that could leave the country in civil war.
