The United Nations' top envoy for Afghanistan on Thursday expressed optimism about the peace prospects in Afghanistan, saying talks between the government and the Taliban could begin in July.

"I am cautiously optimistic that the talks between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban negotiation teams will indeed start in the next few weeks in Doha, during the month of July," Deborah Lyons, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Afghanistan, told the Security Council at a virtual conference.

"As the two sides embark on what will likely be a long and complex series of talks, I have encouraged them to show the necessary flexibility and foresight, the commitment to peace and most importantly, compassion for their people, that will be needed to bring these negotiations to a successful conclusion," she said.

The announcement of a three-day Eid al-Fitr ceasefire by the Taliban and the Afghan government led to a welcome and much-needed reduction in violence, which is essential to an environment conducive for peace talks, and will pave the way for an eventual permanent ceasefire. But the recent spiraling levels of violence threaten this process, she noted.

Encouraging commitment

Lyons said she saw an encouraging commitment by the two sides on the issue of prisoner releases, which is an important confidence-building measure that has created momentum toward the negotiations.

"As I am speaking to you now, we are in the final stages, and it is noteworthy that both sides have agreed that the (peace) talks could start within a week of the completion of the prisoner releases. But again, this must be commensurate with a reduction in violence," she said.

The best chance for a durable settlement rests on a broad consensus, reflecting the aspirations and concerns of all Afghan people, she said.

Zhang Jun, the permanent representative of China to the UN, echoed Lyons by saying China supported an inclusive peace process in Afghanistan and was ready to provide a platform for intra-Afghan talks.

China supports Afghanistan in its efforts to safeguard national unity and political stability, and calls on all parties in Afghanistan to put national interests first and consolidate unity, said Zhang.

China also welcomes last month's political agreement between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah that ended the political impasse stemming from last year's presidential election. And China expects to see the normal functioning of the government as soon as possible, he said.

"China encourages the main political forces in Afghanistan to seize the opportunity, bridge their differences, and break new ground in national reconciliation and reconstruction at an early date," he added.

Xinhua contributed to this story.