ISTANBUL
The recent talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban in the Qatari capital of Doha are an encouraging development, a representative of an Afghan militant group Hezb-i-Islami told Anadolu Agency.
Gayret Bahir, who is a political adviser to the Hezb-i-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, gave the interview in Istanbul Saturday in which he voiced support for dialogue between the two sides.
On May 2, Taliban and Afghan officials had met face-to-face during a two-day conference in Qatar.
"The discussions held were constructive and very important," Bahir said.
"The Taliban showed their willingness to soften their position that would lead to peace," he said.
"The Taliban delegation that consisted of eight people showed a diplomatic attitude," he added.
He also said that the talks were a good starting point to make a permanent agreement between the two sides.
Taliban and Afghan officials had attempted to downplay expectations concerning their unofficial Doha meeting.
The consultative meeting, which both sides have made a point of denying that it constitutes a resumption of peace talks, was part of an initiative launched by the Nobel Peace Prize winning Pugwash Council, a global organization that promotes dialogue to resolve conflicts.
