Afghan government and Taliban representatives say they have reached a preliminary deal to press on with peace talks, their first written agreement in 19 years of war.
The agreement yesterday lays out the way forward for further discussion but is considered a breakthrough because it will allow negotiators to move on to more substantive issues, including talks on a ceasefire.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s spokesman, Sediq Sediqqi, on Twitter said, the agreement is a step forward towards beginning the negotiations on the main issues, including a comprehensive ceasefire as the key demand of the Afghan people.”
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo congratulated the two sides on perseverance and willingness to find common ground, and added that the United States would work hard with all sides in pursuit of a serious reduction of violence and ceasefire.