The United States is to start negotiations on reconciliation with the radical Taliban movement in the Qatari capital Doha next week where there are also scheduled meetings of the Taliban and the Afghan authorities taking place, Reuters reported on Tuesday with reference to unnamed U.S. officials.
"The United States will hold the first meeting with the Taliban in recent years in a few days in Doha," the source said. According to him, in particular, the sides will discuss a possible prisoner exchange between the U.S. and the Taliban. The source described the upcoming talks as "an important first step on the way to the reconciliation." The U.S. expects the negotiation process will be long and difficult, RIA Novosti reported.
Earlier on Tuesday, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said the delegation from the High Peace Council (HPC) in Afghanistan is going to hold talks on national reconciliation with the Taliban in Qatar. He outlined three principles upon which the authorities are ready to hold them. Negotiations should be soon transferred to Afghanistan, their goal should be to end violence in the country and that third parties do not have to use them to promote their interests in Afghanistan.
Representatives of the Taliban movement according to the Afghan authorities, expressed willingness to negotiate with the government of Afghanistan and declared they opened an office in Qatar.