Dushanbe hosted a two-day meeting of regional countries’ National Security Advisers (NSA) to discuss the security situation in Afghanistan and the region.
The meeting started Thursday and is planned to continue Friday.
The meeting was attended by the National Security Advisers of Russia, China, India, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Iran.
The Islamic Emirate reiterated its promise that Afghan soil is not a threat to any foreign country.
“The security is in general provided for in Afghanistan. May the regional countries, based on their understanding of the importance of security and stability in Afghanistan, cooperate with the Afghan government,” said Inamullah Samangani, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.
“Three main issues will be discussed in the Tajikistan summit: First, concerns about the rise of terrorism in Afghanistan based on some reports which say it is on the rise; Second, the issue of drugs, and third the flow of Afghan migration,” said Sayed Noorullah Raghi, a former diplomat.
“The meeting will probably call for the formation of an inclusive government which will lead to the stability of Afghanistan and a national and regional consensus,” said Samar Sadat, a security analyst.
Earlier, Uzbekistan announced that it will host a meeting on Afghanistan at the end of July.
The meetings among the regional countries come as Russia has repeatedly voiced its concerns over the presence of Daesh in Afghanistan and called it a threat to its Central Asian borders.
The Ministry of Information and Culture said that diplomatic efforts were underway to reduce tensions between Afghanistan and neighboring Tajikistan.
A member of the cultural commission of the ministry, Rohullah Omari, on Wednesday called Tajikistan a good neighbor, but said Kabul will not allow Afghanistan’s soil to be violated by any country.
“The Foreign Ministry is in touch with all countries and is working for the facilitation of good ties,” he said. “We will have discussions with Tajikistan on all issues.”
Reportedly travel between the two countries at the border is no longer possible.
Stranded people say that they have spent several days trying to get across the border.
“The refugees come from Badakhshan to Takhar and from here they want to go to Shirkhan port but Shirkhan port is also shut and they are engaged in these problems,” said Fawad, a displaced person.
“The tensions that exist between Afghanistan and Tajikistan are not in anyone’s interest,” said international relations expert Hamid Obaidi. “Resolving this is possible through mutually-recognized policy and neighborly gestures.”—Tolonews
