Russia, Turkey hopeful in Afghan peace process

Gulf Today Report

Russia said that the Taliban was prepared for political “compromise,” even as the insurgents launch offensives against government troops to secure greater swathes of Afghanistan while US troops draw down.

On the other side, Turkey’s president said on Tuesday his country will talk with the Taliban regarding bid to operate and secure the airport in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

READ MORE

Rockets hit near Kabul presidential palace during Eid prayers

US, South Korea and Japan reaffirm cooperation on North Korea

The Taliban have capitalised on the withdrawal of foreign troops to capture scores of districts, border crossings, and encircle provincial capitals.

Speaking after Eid al-Adha prayers in northern Cyprus, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged that the hardline Islamist group had some "discomforts” over Turkey’s proposed plans for Hamid Karzai International Airport.

Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during an event.

"This process will also be discussed with the Taliban,” he said, adding that the group had previously negotiated with the United States and "should hold these talks much more comfortably with Turkey.”

Rounds of inconclusive talks appear to have lost momentum as the militants make battlefield gains.

But the Kremlin's envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, said during a conference with former Afghan leader Hamid Karzai on Tuesday that the insurgents were prepared to consider political offers put forward by other parties to negotiations.

"Over the past 20 or so years, the bulk of the (Taliban) leadership has certainly become fed up with war and understand that there is a need to search for political solutions to the current deadlock," Kabulov said.

He added that based on the statements and actions of the insurgent group, it had shown it was "ready for a political compromise".

"But it's clear that from their viewpoint a political compromise should be decently presented to them," Kabulov added.

His comments came after another round of inconclusive talks in Qatar over the weekend between the Afghan government and the Taliban that many hoped would kickstart the ailing peace process.

Moscow is closely watching the conflict unfold.