The participants at the China Plus Central Asian Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in addition to exchanging views on the region, discussed the situation in Afghanistan.
The meeting was chaired by Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi, and was attended by the Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev, Tajik Transport Minister Azim Ibrohim, and Uzbek acting Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov.
“We should continue to make good use of the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the Afghan Issue Among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan, the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group and other mechanisms,” said a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
This comes as no Central Asian country has yet recognized the Islamic Emirate. However, China and Turkmenistan have allowed the active presence of the current government’s diplomats.
“The government should reassure the neighbor and regional countries and address their concerns in this regard, otherwise, they will not receive good results,” said Sadiq Shinwari, a political analyst.
“The world wants valuable engagement with the Islamic Emirate and wants the Islamic Emirate to engage in relations based on current norms,” said Saleem Kakar, a university instructor.
But the Islamic Emirate downplayed the concerns and pledged the Afghan soil will not be used against anyone.
“The Islamic Emirate is very serious in regard to focusing on its security and preventing the use of Afghan soil against others,” said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.
This comes as earlier Moscow claimed that terrorist groups are trying to enter the Central Asian nations via Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of Iran and India called for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan.
“The Central Asian nations and UN have limited facilities to bring reforms in Afghanistan. It is the Taliban who have the control to bring reform in Afghanistan” said Torek Farhadi, a political analyst.
But the Islamic Emirate urged countries to engage in relations with the current Afghan government to overcome the challenges.
“First of all; they should start diplomatic relations with the current Afghan government, thus all challenges will be solved via official and responsible measures. Then there will be good steps in which the countries seek to resolve the challenges for the Afghans,” said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.
The international community listed the formation of an inclusive government, respect for human rights and women’s rights, and preventing Afghan soil from terrorist activities, as the preconditions for recognition of the current Afghan government.
However, the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly said that Afghan soil will not be a threat to any country and that the government is inclusive and respects human and women’s rights based on Islamic values.—Tolonews
