Russia\, China await \'immediate success\' of US talks with Taliban on Afghan peace process

Russia, China await 'immediate success' of US talks with Taliban on Afghan peace process

ANI  |  Asia 

and are awaiting the 'immediate success' of the talks between the and Taliban, which are aimed at achieving peace in war-torn

"Both we and the Chinese are certainly interested in the immediate success of the US talks with the movement, five rounds of which were held in That's why this is a key moment for further progress towards a stable peace in Afghanistan," Russia's Presidential for was quoted TASS news agency.

As soon as the US agrees with the over withdrawing half of its troops from Afghanistan, "we can start making next and more particular steps, leading to establishing peace in Afghanistan: this is ceasefire and a whole number of other steps, and the most important of them will be direct talks of a broad spectrum of Afghans with the movement," he added.

A statement issued by the US Department State said that representatives of the US, China, and met in Washington, on March 21 and 22, in order to exchange their views on the current status of the and discuss common efforts to bring peace, prosperity, and security to

In the meeting, the officials underscored their respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, as well as Afghanistan's right to make its own political, security, and economic decisions, the statement read.

The United States, China, and agreed to continue further discussions. However, the exact date and venue for the next meeting will be decided through diplomatic channels. The parties will continue to seek common efforts and coordination on the Afghan peace process, the statement added.

"The Taliban movement has said many times at its discussions with both the US and other [sides] that it wants to see serious guarantors of its future deal with the Among such guarantors they named Russia [and also] China, and Iran," Kabulov said.

However, the noted that there was no discussion on any particular form of providing such guarantees since progress in Afghan settlement has not reached that phase.

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalizad, took to and wrote, "Welcome the robust interest in Met with my counterparts from Russia and and then the EU before we all came together for lunch. We respect Afghan sovereignty, want peace for all Afghans & seek an Afghanistan that is never a source of threat for any of us.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sat, March 23 2019. 11:00 IST