ASHKHABAD, Dec 11: The two sides in Afghanistan's civil war came face to face for the first time this year for talks with UN mediation in the Turkmen capital Ashkhabad, negotiators from the United Nations said late Sunday, reports AFP.

The United Nations special representative to Afghanistan. Francesc Vendrell. said that the atmosphere at the talks between representatives of the opposing sides at dinner In Ashkhabad had been relaxed.

"It was an Informal meeting, or dinner. In which informal talks look place in the framework of the

agreement arrived by the two sides with the secretary’ general to open a process of dialogue to achieve a political settlement. Vendrell told AFP.

"The atmosphere was relaxed, people were friendly to each oilier, they spoke quite openly. They talked like people sitting around the table for dinner, not wanting to end up throwing the cutlery at each other." he added.

The Afghan foes held separate meetings Saturday with Vendrell. after being Invited l o Turkmenistan to mark the fifth anniversary' of its Neutrality Day on December 12.