Istanbul meeting calls on Taliban to commit to Afghan peace talks

Foreign ministers of Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan underline an ‘urgent need for an immediate ceasefire’.

The foreign ministers of Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan have called on the Afghan Taliban to reaffirm its commitment to achieving a negotiated settlement for lasting peace in Afghanistan. In a joint statement issued after talks in Istanbul on Friday, the three ministers underlined “the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire” to end the violence and “provide a conducive atmosphere” for peace talks. A United States-backed Afghan peace conference set to be hosted in Istanbul by Turkey, Qatar and the United Nations on Saturday was postponed over the Taliban’s non-participation.