MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 28th May, 2019) The intra-Afghan consultations and so-called Moscow format meetings have elevated the process of restoring peace in the middle Eastern country to an entirely new level, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.
"Activities within the framework of the Moscow format and the intra-Afghan dialogue meetings, which marked the beginning of a new phase of the peace process and maximized its legitimacy by involving all political forces of the country, including the opposition, are intended to make an important contribution to Afghan settlement," Lavrov said at a meeting that marked the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Afghanistan.
Prospects for resuming a direct dialogue between the Taliban movement and Afghan government are being discussed at these various platforms.
One such platform was the intra-Afghan conference that took place in Moscow in February. It brought together a delegation from the Afghan government, led by former President Hamid Karzai, and Taliban representatives.
Another platform was the Moscow-format talks in November, which were attended by officials from countries neighboring Afghanistan, as well as delegations from the Taliban's political office in Doha and the Afghan High Peace Council.
