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TEHRAN, November 09 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday voiced hope that a conference on Afghanistan taking place in Moscow could help pave the way for peace talks.
TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - "The Moscow format of talks is aimed at establishing an inclusive inter-Afghan dialogue in the interests of advancing the process of national reconciliation," Lavrov said as he opened the meeting that has brought together representatives of the Afghan authorities and the Taliban.
He emphasized the threat posed by Daesh group in Afghanistan, saying that it has relied on foreign sponsors in a bid to "turn Afghanistan into a springboard for its expansion in Central Asia."
The conference marks Moscow's effort to get the Afghan authorities and the Taliban together at a table. The U.S. said it would send a diplomat from is Moscow embassy to observe the discussions.
Russia's first attempt to hold the meeting in September fell through after the Afghan authorities refused to attend. This time, the Afghan government hasn't sent its envoys, but several members of the government-appointed Peace Council are attending the event.
Taliban officials and Peace Council members have met at past forums elsewhere, and while no formal talks were ever held they have had some face-to face discussions.
Source: AP
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