Doha / Information Office / March 22

The State of Qatar and the United States have facilitated the first direct technical talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban movement on the release of prisoners, which took place between them remotely, due to the outbreak of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

In a statement today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the talks were fruitful and constructive, in which the two parties discussed important issues related to the lists of prisoners and how to verify them and the locations of their release and transfer them to the agreed locations.

The statement added that all parties confirmed their commitment to reduce escalation, and the intra-Afghan negotiations and comprehensive peace, and agreed to resume the talks within the next few days.

The State of Qatar and the United States called on the parties to expedite the completion of prisoner swap, amid the spread of the coronavirus.

The talks constitute an essential step in the peace process in accordance with the Peace Agreement in Afghanistan signed between the United States and Taliban in Doha, on February 29, 2020.