Some members from each side in Doha, including the chief negotiators, helda meeting on Sunday evening and discussed the agenda, said Republicnegotiator Nader Nadery.
The meeting comes after days of delay.
Over the nine days since the start of the second round of talks, the twosides have held four meetings, including Sunday evening’s meeting, at theworking group level, but they haven’t had progress in finalizing the agendathat will open the way for formal talks.
“Afghans are seeking peace and ceasefire. Even one day that goes to wasteis a lot for them,” said Haji Din Mohammad, the deputy head of the HighCouncil for National Reconciliation.
“Based on my information, both the government and the Taliban are notinterested in beginning the negotiations ahead of (Joe) Biden’sinauguration,” said Ata Mohammad Noor, the CEO of Jamiat-e-Islamic party.
“The Taliban leaders have arrived in Doha few days ago and I think thattheir absence in Doha was one of the reasons behind the delay in thenegotiations,” said Sayed Akbar Agha, former Taliban member.
Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib in a trip to thesouthern province of Helmand on Sunday warned that the Taliban shouldembrace peace or they will be faced with a response by security forces.
“We will fight against those who do not want peace,” Mohib said.
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This comes as violence has increased in the country in recent days,including targeted attacks in cities like Kabul.
The Taliban on Saturday claimed the responsibility for a complex attack onan NDS facility in the southern province of Kandahar. Local officials saidfour attackers were killed in the attack that started with a car bombexplosion.
The officials said the attack took “no casualties” from Afghan forces.
Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem said that US special envoy ZalmayKhalilzad met with Abdul Ghani Baradar, head of the political office, andMawlawi Abdul Hakeem Haqqani, head of the negotiating team, and discussedthe peace agreement and emphasized that issues should be solved viadialogue and that every side should fulfill its responsibilities in a fairway.
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