Afghan peace talks: Quadrilateral group agrees to give peace a chance

Talks remain the only option for bringing an end to the lingering conflict in Afghanistan, says QCG

ISLAMABAD: Senior officials from Pakistan, Afghanistan, the United States and China agreed on Wednesday to give peace a chance, saying talks remain the only option for bringing an end to the lingering conflict in Afghanistan.

The meeting of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG), headed by Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, was held in Islamabad after a gap of three months against the backdrop of growing differences among the countries involved in the Afghan peace process.

Ahead of the crucial QCG meeting, Afghanistan had said it would push for declaring the Taliban as 'irreconcible' since they refused to join the peace process.



But at the end of 5th meeting of QCG since it was formed in December last year, all sides agreed on the need for efforts to start peace process.

The QCG has reiterated that violence serves no purpose and that peace negotiations remain the only option for a political settlement.

In this respect, the quadrilateral group reaffirmed to use their respective leverages and influences, said a joint statement issued by the foreign office.



The delegations in the meeting were led by Afghan President’s Special Envoy and Ambassador of Afghanistan to Pakistan Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal, the Special Representative of the United States for Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Richard G Olson, and China’s Special Envoy for Afghan Affairs Ambassador Deng Xijun.

Moreover, the QCG strongly condemned the April 19 terrorist attack in Kabul and underscored that those who perpetrate such acts of terrorism should be ready to face consequences of their actions, while expressing continued determination to advance the goal of an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.

The next QCG meeting will be convened later some time on mutually agreed date.