The European Union (EU) delegation and the EU Heads of Mission based in Kabul have urged for a "swift establishment" of the Afghan High Council of National Reconciliation,the body designated to provide "guidance" to the ongoing peace negotiations. 
 
The statement came at a time Afghan and the Taliban delegations in Qatari capital Doha continue to struggle on finalizing the procedural rules for the intra-Afghan talks, Khaama Press reported. 
 
"We encourage the swift establishment and operationalisation of the High Council of National Reconciliation as the body designated to provide guidance to the negotiations," the EU said in a statement on Thursday. 
 
"In addition to political leaders, the membership of the Council should include a diverse membership representing women`s groups, war victims, religious minorities, youth and civil society organizations," it added. 
 
While the ongoing talks between the Afghan and Taliban negotiators in Doha push through a peace deal in a war-torn country, the international community&nbsp;including the EU and women rights activists&nbsp;raise voice for equal role in the process. 
 
"Reaching a sustainable outcome respecting the rights and aspirations of the Afghan people will be best served by a strong political unity on the side of the Republic and the inclusion of all Afghan voices in the process," the EU in Kabul elaborated. 
 
Addressing the current war that has escalated in different parts of the country, the EU said that "we express deep concern about the continuing high level of violence and the security situation in Afghanistan, especially the number of civilian casualties and call for an immediate permanent and comprehensive ceasefire". 
 
The EU Delegation and EU Heads of Mission based in Kabul, as underscored at the Afghanistan 2020 conference, reaffirm the strong support of the bloc and its member states to a balanced Afghan Peace process, the statement concluded.

The European Union (EU) delegation and the EU Heads of Mission based in Kabul have urged for a "swift establishment" of the Afghan High Council of National Reconciliation,the body designated to provide "guidance" to the ongoing peace negotiations.

The European Union (EU) delegation and the EU Heads of Mission based in Kabul have urged for a "swift establishment" of the Afghan High Council of National Reconciliation,the body designated to provide "guidance" to the ongoing peace negotiations. The statement came at a time Afghan and the Taliban delegations in Qatari capital Doha continue to struggle on finalizing the procedural rules for the intra-Afghan talks, Khaama Press reported. "We encourage the swift establishment and operationalisation of the High Council of National Reconciliation as the body designated to provide guidance to the negotiations," the EU said in a statement on Thursday. "In addition to political leaders, the membership of the Council should include a diverse membership representing women`s groups, war victims, religious minorities, youth and civil society organizations," it added. While the ongoing talks between the Afghan and Taliban negotiators in Doha push through a peace deal in a war-torn country, the international community including the EU and women rights activists raise voice for equal role in the process. "Reaching a sustainable outcome respecting the rights and aspirations of the Afghan people will be best served by a strong political unity on the side of the Republic and the inclusion of all Afghan voices in the process," the EU in Kabul elaborated. Addressing the current war that has escalated in different parts of the country, the EU said that "we express deep concern about the continuing high level of violence and the security situation in Afghanistan, especially the number of civilian casualties and call for an immediate permanent and comprehensive ceasefire". The EU Delegation and EU Heads of Mission based in Kabul, as underscored at the Afghanistan 2020 conference, reaffirm the strong support of the bloc and its member states to a balanced Afghan Peace process, the statement concluded.

EU urges Afghan Peace Council to 'include diverse membership'

Members of Afghanistan's High Peace Council, a body overseeing peace efforts, met Taliban officials at a conference in Moscow on Friday and repeated President Ashraf Ghani's offer of peace talks without pre-conditions.

For the first time, the meeting of regional officials on ways to end the war included a Taliban delegation, as moves towards achieving a political settlement pick up.

"We discussed the subject of direct talks with the Taliban and asked them to choose the place and the starting time," said Ehsan Tahiri, High Peace Council spokesman, according to Russia's RIA news agency.

The meeting, which underlines Russia's desire to be involved in any settlement in Afghanistan, took place as US&nbsp;special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad prepared for a fresh round of talks with Taliban officials in Qatar.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that "we reaffirm our position on the lack of alternative to a political settlement in Afghanistan and the need for active coordinated efforts by Afghanistan's neighbouring countries and regional partners".

Western officials and Ghani's government view the Moscow meeting with some suspicion, seeing it as an attempt by Russia to push its way into a process that they say must be led by Afghanistan.

As well as the five-member Taliban delegation, Russia brought to the meeting several senior Afghan political figures, including some who have clashed with Ghani in the past. Ghani's government sent only a delegation from the High Peace Council, a group set up to coordinate reconciliation efforts.

The Taliban issued a statement this week saying the conference was "not about negotiating with any particular side".

It said the meeting was "about holding comprehensive discussions on finding a peaceful solution to the Afghan quandary and ending the American occupation".

Ghani offered in February to talk to the Taliban without pre-conditions but the insurgents, who regard his government as a foreign-controlled regime, have refused, saying they will deal only with the United States.

Members of Afghanistan's High Peace Council, a body overseeing peace efforts, met Taliban officials at a conference in Moscow on Friday and repeated President Ashraf Ghani's offer of peace talks without pre-conditions.

Members of Afghanistan's High Peace Council, a body overseeing peace efforts, met Taliban officials at a conference in Moscow on Friday and repeated President Ashraf Ghani's offer of peace talks without pre-conditions. For the first time, the meeting of regional officials on ways to end the war included a Taliban delegation, as moves towards achieving a political settlement pick up. "We discussed the subject of direct talks with the Taliban and asked them to choose the place and the starting time," said Ehsan Tahiri, High Peace Council spokesman, according to Russia's RIA news agency. The meeting, which underlines Russia's desire to be involved in any settlement in Afghanistan, took place as US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad prepared for a fresh round of talks with Taliban officials in Qatar. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that "we reaffirm our position on the lack of alternative to a political settlement in Afghanistan and the need for active coordinated efforts by Afghanistan's neighbouring countries and regional partners". Western officials and Ghani's government view the Moscow meeting with some suspicion, seeing it as an attempt by Russia to push its way into a process that they say must be led by Afghanistan. As well as the five-member Taliban delegation, Russia brought to the meeting several senior Afghan political figures, including some who have clashed with Ghani in the past. Ghani's government sent only a delegation from the High Peace Council, a group set up to coordinate reconciliation efforts. The Taliban issued a statement this week saying the conference was "not about negotiating with any particular side". It said the meeting was "about holding comprehensive discussions on finding a peaceful solution to the Afghan quandary and ending the American occupation". Ghani offered in February to talk to the Taliban without pre-conditions but the insurgents, who regard his government as a foreign-controlled regime, have refused, saying they will deal only with the United States.

Afghan Peace Council tells Taliban it is ready for talks: RIA

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EU urges Afghan Peace Council to 'include diverse membership'

Afghan Peace Council tells Taliban it is ready for talks: RIA