Uzbekistan welcomes the decision of the consultative council meeting Loya Jirga of Afghanistan to release 400 Taliban prisoners, which was said to be the last obstacle for launching the inclusive inter-Afghan negotiations, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"Uzbekistan fully supports the beginning of the negotiation process between the government of Afghanistan and the Taliban in Doha and expresses the hope that the parties will show political will, a constructive approach and readiness to compromise in the name of achieving long-term peace and stability on the Afghan soil," the statement said.
Uzbekistan will reportedly continue to provide comprehensive assistance in advancing the peace process and declares its firm determination to support the Afghan people in every possible way in their desire to build a peaceful future and a prosperous state.
The day before, at an grand assembly of tribal elders of Afghanistan (Loya jirga) in Kabul, the Afghan leaders approved the release of 400 Taliban prisoners in order to make possible the holding of intra-Afghan negotiations. Afghan President Ghani, speaking to more than 3 thousand members of the Loya jirga, announced the issuance of the relevant order.
The Taliban reaffirmed their readiness for peace talks with the Afghan government after 400 Taliban were released from prisons. “Our position is clear: when the prisoners are released, we will be ready for intra-Afghan talks within a week,” a spokesman for the group, Suhail Shahin, told AFP on Monday, August 10. According to him, the first round of negotiations may take place in the capital of Qatar, Doha.
