The fourth round of the Antalya Process, focusing on the role of civil society and democratic forces in the future of Afghanistan, ended on Tuesday, in Antalya, Turkey.
The two-day conference was hosted by the Geneva Center for Dialogue and Development and the Afghanistan Civil and Democratic Forces Network and was attended by a number of Afghan political, social, media, women and youth activists.
The main focus of the talks was on the current crisis in Afghanistan, ways to achieve a comprehensive military and creating conditions for full participation of Afghans in the political process, said Hamid Obaidi, head of the Afghanistan Journalists Protection Organization.
The organizers’ statement stressed that civil society, women, youth and other political groups should play an active role in shaping the future of Afghanistan.
The need to start a comprehensive national dialogue and increase international pressure on the Taliban were also key issues at the meeting.
Zakira Hekmat, head of the Afghanistan Women’s Rights Watch in Turkey, also stressed the importance of women’s meaningful participation in all negotiations related to the country’s future, saying the issue should be at the top of the agenda in talks with the Taliban.
The Taliban government, despite widespread domestic and international criticism, considers itself “inclusive” and calls meetings held without its representatives invalid.
Despite the absence of the Taliban, participants in the Antalya meeting expressed hope that the talks would lead to a broader dialogue and a political solution to the Afghan crisis.
