Iran Press/Asia: Representatives of Iran, Pakistan, China, and Russia in Afghanistan welcomed the agreement between the leaders of the two main political factions in the country and expressed hope that this important development will accelerate the start of international talks in Afghanistan.
Special Representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation discussed Afghanistan in a videoconference on Monday on the current situation in Afghanistan and the peace and reconciliation process in that country.
In the meeting, the four countries' special envoys on Afghanistan welcomed the agreement between the leaders of the two main political factions and expressed hope that this important development would accelerate the start of the Afghan-Afghan talks.
They also supported the Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process, stressing that comprehensive negotiations among Afghan groups would be the only way to achieve national reconciliation and a speedy end to the long-running conflict, and called on all ethnic groups and Afghan parties to seize the opportunity to begin inter-Afghan talks.
"The peace process is expected to pave the way for the return and resettlement of Afghan refugees, and we urge the international community to support a time table to return with respect and dignity for Afghan refugees," the statement said.
In the end, the representatives of the countries present at the virtual meeting also issued a statement in 13 paragraphs in support of peace in Afghanistan.
On March 9, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah held simultaneous inauguration ceremonies at the presidential and Sepidar palaces with their supporters, effectively giving Afghanistan two presidents and a parallel government.
On Sunday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah signed a power-sharing deal, ending a bitter months-long feud that plunged the country into a political crisis.
The agreement names Abdullah to lead future peace talks with the Taliban, who have already signed an accord with Washington to pave the way for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan.
The breakthrough comes as Afghanistan battles a series of crises, including a rapid spread of the deadly coronavirus and surging militant violence that saw dozens killed in brutal attacks last week.
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