With less than ten days remaining until the third Doha meeting, it is still unclear who will represent the caretaker government in this meeting.
Zakir Jalali, director of the third political department of the Foreign Ministry, although confirming the participation of representatives of the Islamic Emirate in this meeting, said it is not clear at what level the representatives of the Islamic Emirate will participate.
Jalali added that the meeting of special representatives of countries for Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar, will be led by the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The director of the third political department of the Foreign Ministry said: “The Afghan government, considering the agenda and composition of the meeting that was previously shared with the Islamic Emirate, has decided to send a delegation; however, it is still unclear at what level the Islamic Emirate will participate in this meeting. The meeting’s agenda indicates that discussions will focus on issues of the private sector, financial and banking matters, combating drugs, and alternative livelihoods. The Afghan government favors constructive engagement with Western countries, similar to the progress made with neighboring and regional countries.”
“If decisions are made about Afghanistan in this meeting, then this meeting is important for both the Islamic Emirate and the world to resolve this issue,” said Sayed Akbar Sial Wardak, a political analyst.
This two-day meeting will be held on June 30 and July 1 in Doha, Qatar. The Islamic Emirate also said that a delegation from the caretaker government will participate in this meeting.
Some political experts said this meeting is important for Afghanistan and resolving its issues and called on the Islamic Emirate to take advantage of the opportunity.
“They should strive to make the most of such opportunities and ensure that such conferences prove fruitful not only for the peace and development of the Afghan people but also for the region and the world,” said Sediq Mansoor Ansari, a political analyst.
Earlier, the UN Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs, during a visit to Kabul and meetings with Islamic Emirate officials, said that the third Doha meeting would address financial, banking issues, the fight against drugs, and climate change.
It is still unclear whether political and human rights issues will also be addressed in the meeting.
In a press release, it is stated that the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, during her visit to Kabul, invited officials of the Islamic Emirate to attend the third Doha meeting.
According to the press release, the Deputy Secretary-General met with several interim government officials, and the focus of their discussions was the upcoming Doha meeting, which will be held from June 30 to July 1.
The UN Secretary-General’s press release states: “The Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, visited Afghanistan from 18 to 21 May. That is today. She met with the de facto authorities, the diplomatic community in Kabul and representatives of civil society. The meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan that the United Nations is organizing in Doha on 30 June and 1 July was the centre of her discussions.”
Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said: “She extended to the de facto Minister for Foreign Affairs, Amir Khan Muttaqi, an advance invitation from the Secretary-General to participate at the forthcoming meeting of Special Envoys. The meeting aims to increase international engagement with Afghanistan in a more coherent, coordinated and structured manner.”
Meanwhile, Zabihullah Mujahid said that the participation of the Islamic Emirate’s delegation in the Doha meeting is under discussion, and if the interim government’s conditions are accepted, their representative will attend the meeting.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said: “The UN Under-Secretary-General came to Afghanistan, and one of their discussions was that the Islamic Emirate should participate in the Doha meeting. The Islamic Emirate has taken this matter and is discussing it. If the conditions of the Islamic Emirate are accepted in this meeting, it will decide to participate.”—Tolonews
