Four days have passed since a delegation left for Qatar to discuss the contract of Afghanistan’s airports, but still no information is available.
Despite this, officials expressed hopes to access a final agreement over the airport management.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Monday that the Islamic Emirate delegation led by Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting foreign minister, met with Qatari deputy prime minister and the foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Abdurrahman Al-Thani, and discussed political and economic issues and the Afghan airport contract.
“In the continuation of the talks, we hope to … find a political resolution,” said Bilal Karimi.
Meanwhile, experts believe that maintaining security for airports will possibly be the controversial point between the sides.
“Security and technical issues can be basic issues, because the security and technical affairs require professional and trained forces, the border forces of the Islamic Emirate are not qualified to do this and they (other side) cannot surrender all security affairs to the Islamic Emirate,” said Mohammad Warimach, former deputy minister of transport.
Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Air Aviation Authority denied the reports which suggested the presence of Qatari forces at the Kabul airport.
“There was no military exercise. We have a fire and rescue team to act in case any incident happens,” said Ghulam Jailani Waf, deputy Minister of Transportation and Aviation.
Earlier, video circulated on social media showing the presence of Qatari forces at Kabul airport.
Analysts gave various opinions about the contract of Kabul airport with foreign companies.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should take immediate action to sign the contract. The arrival of business flights paves the ground for the reduction of traveling costs for Afghans,” said Torek Farhadi, a political analyst.
“Any contract that results in the permanent reliance of Afghan aviation systems on foreign companies is not in the interest of Afghanistan,” said Mohammad Qassim Wafayezada, former head of the Afghanistan Air Aviation Authority.
The economic commission also instructed the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Commerce as well as the general department of Intelligence to provide facilitate travel for Afghan traders.
Last month, an Islamic Emirate delegation during its visit to Turkey met with Turkish officials and discussed the pending deal on operating Kabul airport and several other international airports in Afghanistan.
