Even though no details have been officially released over the meeting in Geneva, sources told TOLOnews that the Islamic Emirate delegation will share Kabul’s demands with participants at the session. According to the sources, the end of sanctions will be called for by the Islamic Emirate’s delegation.
The source further said that issues related to Afghanistan’s crisis and humanitarian aid needs would be discussed.
“The session is being held to address economic and human rights challenges. Afghanistan’s delegation expects to meet with officials from various administrations of Switzerland on the sidelines of the session,” said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.
The Geneva Call, which is hosting the session, said in a press release that the conference will include briefings on the applicability of humanitarian norms and the issue of delivering humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.
At the same time, the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs insisted that Islamic Emirate’s recognition would not part of the agenda at the session.
This is the second session held on Afghanistan in Europe in less than a month. Norway’s government held three days meetings in Oslo where a delegation of the Islamic Emirate led by Amir Khan Mutaqqi, acting foreign minister, attended the meetings.
“These meetings are a sign of tbe West’s engagement with the Taliban and are held in the name of delivering humanitarian aid, respecting human rights in Afghanistan,” said Ahmad Munib Rasa, political expert.
“Afghanistan seriously needs international support and aid to return to its normal way,” said Seyar Quraishi, political expert.
It has been six months that the Islamic Emirate seized power in Afghanistan and no country has officially recognized it.
Earlier, the prime minister made the remarks at a high-level meeting held on Wednesday at the ARG (Presidential Palace) in Kabul to assess the status of the Afghan economy.
The meeting was attended by members of the Islamic Emirate cabinet and UN representatives as well as representatives of 20 foreign countries.
PM Mullah Akhund also called on the international community to recognize the current Kabul administration and urged the US to release the Central Bank’s assets. He called on the Islamic countries to not wait and let the US be the first to recognize Afghanistan, after which “you would also recognize it,” said the prime minister.
He said the lack of recognition is creating severe challenges in a variety of ways.
“If the economic process is implemented, I believe Afghanistan would be pulled out of the current crisis,” he said.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting minister of Foreign Affairs, said that Afghanistan already has an independent government.
“It is obvious to them that Afghanistan has a government which is responsible, committed and believes in acting in mutual interest,” he said.
Talking at the meeting, the UN envoy in Afghanistan Deborah Lyons said the role of women and girls is vital for economic progress in the country. “Indeed, economic progress, diversity, and inclusion, human rights and equality amongst all citizens are closely connected.
As many countries have learned in these last many decades, economic growth stems from innovation and engagement of all citizens,” she said. “This requires education for all, creativity, building technical capacity and using the diversity and talents of the many ethnic groups throughout an entire population.”
“Women and girls in Afghanistan represent half of the population, and, as other countries around the world have learned, are critical for economic prosperity,” Lyons added. This comes as the current Afghan government has yet to be recognized by any foreign countries.—Tolonews
