Head of Afghanistan’s High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) Abdullah Abdullah hailed Russia’s mediatory role in dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban radical movement (outlawed in Russia) and noted its objectiveness in respect of both parties.
"Just look at the extended Troika’s joint statement signed in Moscow. It is very clear: it mentions the United Nations Security Council, the Islamic Emirate, terrorist groups - all these aspects," he said.
He stressed that a mediator cannot take anybody’s side at talks. "When anyone wants to be a mediator, he cannot way ‘I am with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan against the Taliban’ and then try to take mediatory efforts. Am I not right? He must be unbiassed towards both parties," TASS cited him as saying.
An extended Troika (Russia, China, the United States, Pakistan) meeting on Afghan settlement was held in Moscow last Thursday. It was attended by special envoys of both the Afghan government and the Taliban movement (outlawed in Russia), as well as by representatives from Qatar and Turkey. Participants spoke in favor of reaching lasting peace through political settlement by means of talks.
