Kabul is hosting a grand meeting that discusses the Afghan peace efforts.

The ministry of foreign affairs said in a Sunday statement that representatives from 19 neighboring and regional countries as well as the US ambassador and the UN special envoy would participate in the week-long meeting.

Geran Hewad, foreign ministry spokesman, said that the meeting would be held inside the ministry but via video conference.

“Representatives from countries and international organizations will discuss reduction in violence, release of Taliban prisoners, the beginning of intra-Afghan talks and cease fire,” Hewad said.

Iran, India, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Egypt, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the United Nations are planned to send representatives to the meeting.

According to Geran, on Tuesday only representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan and China would attend where they are expected to discuss peace and economic cooperation.

Meanwhile, Najia Anwari, spokeswoman of state ministry for peace called the meeting important in peace, regional and international consensus.

“The government of Afghanistan has been working on a national, regional and international consensus for six years and the consensus is convinced now. But this needs more strength and the government needs to maintain it,” she said.

http://www.afghanistantimes.af/kabul-to-host-series-of-negotiations-on-afghan-peace/