US and Taliban to sign the agreement in the presence of the representatives of 26 countries
The United States and the radical Taliban movement will sign an agreement on Saturday, February 29, The Khaama Press reports citing to Suhail Shaheen, a spokesperson of the political office of Taliban in Qatar.
According to him, foreign ministers and special representatives from 26 countries, including Turkmenistan, were invited to the agreement signing ceremony, which will be held in Qatar capital of Doha.
Shaheen also added that Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar will sign the agreement on behalf of the Taliban. He also said that as part of the implementation of the agreements reached, the Taliban group and Afghan government are expected to exchange prisoners to “strengthen mutual trust”. The US will release 5,000 Taliban prisoners in its first step to build trust and similarly the Taliban group will release 1,000 Afghan security personnel.
Following the signing of the deal, the group would definitely launch intra-Afghan talks, during which the sides would try to agree on extension the reduction in violence for a longer time in the country.
Earlier, from February 22, week-long “reduction in violence” between the Afghan government and the Taliban was reached, TOLO News informed.
The signing of the agreement between the US and the Taliban is very important, but only the first step of a peaceful settlement of the situation in Afghanistan. The next very important stage of this process is the launch of direct talks between the Kabul government and the Taliban.
NURY AMANOV
