On 22 May 2019, the Centre for Conflict and Peace Studies (CAPS) hosted Amb Anna-Karin Eneström, Director General for Political Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden and Amb Tobias Thyberg, Sweden Ambassador to Afghanistan for a discussion on security situation, peace talks, intra-Afghan dialogue and upcoming Afghan presidential elections.

Mr Karzai, CAPS’ Chairman welcomed the delegation and provided a comprehensive assessment of the Afghan situation and current status of peace talks. Mr Karzai explained that significant progress in negotiations between the US and Taliban is made but that would not yield any results unless the Afghans talk to the Taliban. He said successful peace talks require Afghans to sit together and discuss their future collectively. He called the intra-Afghan dialogued that was scheduled for late April 2019 “a great opportunity that was squandered”. Mr Karzai hoped that previous mistakes that led to failure of the dialogue would be rectified as future meetings are being organized.