(Pajhwok): The Taliban say they will not take part in the Turkey conference if the US does not change the timeline for the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan. Ankara is set to host the summit on promoting a political settlement in Afghanistan from April 24. The government in Kabul has already confirmed its participation in the event. But Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem tweeted on Sunday: “We will review all affairs after the announcement of a change from the US in the timeline for the withdrawal of foreign forces.” The global fraternity has been urging the militant movement to be part of the Turkey conference and thereby demonstrate their interest in bringing peace to the country. “If the Taliban has any expectation … of not being an international pariah, it’s going to have to respect the rights of women and girls,” the US secretary of state said in an interview on Sunday. On Saturday, the European Union called for the Taliban to take part in the UN-led Istanbul summit. EU Ambassador to Afghanistan Andreas von Brand asked the insurgent group to seize the historic opportunity for peace offered by the upcoming gathering.
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