The first round of peace talks between the government and Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) concluded in the Kathmandu valley today with both parties agreeing to hold next round of talks in the near future.

The talks was held in Godavari Village Resort in which government and Maoist representatives put forth their position and realised the need for continuing the peace talks to end the six-year old insurgency. Negotiators met for four hours under tight military and police security; the talks started at 9.30 AM.

Minister for Physical Planning and government team leader Chiranjivi Wagle, Water Resources Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachhadhar, Agriculture Minister Mahesh Acharya,

Narahari Acharya and Chakra Prasad Bastola represented the government and the ruling Nepali Congress Party.

Politburo member Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Central Committee members Top Bahadur Rayamajhi and Agni Prasad Sapkota represented the Maoists.

Former speaker and senior lawyer Daman Nath Dhungana and former Minister and human rights activist Padma Ratna Tuladhar participated in the talks as facilitators. “We are very hopeful. The talks were very positive,” former speaker Daman Nath Dhungana and human rights activist Padma Ratna Tuladhar told reporters.

At the end of the talks, a joint press statement was issued agreeing to hold the next round of talks within a fortnight and halt all forms of offensive activities. Rebels suggested Rolpa , their stronghold in far west Nepal, as the venue for the second phase of the talks.

Talking to journalists after the meeting, Krishna Bahadur Mahara said that they put forth all their demands including for a republic, interim government and new constitution. However, Minister Wagle said that they just initiated the meeting and tried to know each other’s view.

Government said multi-party democracy, constitutional monarchy, multi-party democracy and fundamental rights are not negotiable.

Wagle said an agreement has been reached to halt all forms of offensive activities and create a more conducive atmosphere for talks and solution of the problem.