Russia is hoping that representatives of the Kabul government will attend the consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow on September 4, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
“The invitation of Taliban representatives to the Moscow meeting is aimed at bringing the collective call to peace in Afghanistan directly to the armed Afghan opposition… We are counting on the participation of representatives of Kabul in the meeting of the Moscow format, which will be held on September 4,” the statement said.
The Afghan Foreign Ministry earlier announced that it would participate in the “Moscow-format” consultations on Afghanistan only if the Taliban agreed to direct talks with representatives of the Afghan government on the sidelines of this event.
“The Afghan government delegation, if the Taliban movement shows at some time willingness to hold direct peace talks, whether in the format of Moscow or in some third place, with sincere intention and deep commitment to peace will take part [in the talks],” the ministry said.
Source: Websites