Shaheen meets Chinese, British envoys prior to Doha meeting

KABUL (Pajhwok): Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s political office head in Qatar Sohail Shaheen met Chinese and British envoys in Doha on the eve of a UN-led international conference on Afghanistan.

The two-day meeting on Afghanistan, bringing together special envoys from various countries, commenced in Qatar today (Monday).

The UN-convened talks are aimed at reinforcing global engagement around key issues, such as human rights, in particular the rights of women and girls.

The participants will confer on inclusive governance and the need for combating terrorism and drug trafficking, the world body said.

Secretary-General António Guterres is in Doha to host the two-day talks, to which the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has not been invited.

Shaheen twitted that he met Chinese special representative for Afghanistan ambassador Yue Xiaoyongy and discussed with him various issues including the economy of Afghanistan.

They talked about the current situation of Afghanistan, interaction and some other matters about regional connectivity.

Shaheen also met Andrew McQueary, the director of Britain’sco-operation and development office. Both sides discussed the current situation of Afghanistan and the ongoing UN-led meeting about Afghanistan.

Representatives of 25 countries and international organizations are attending the Doha meeting.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said last week the Doha meeting could see envoys discuss “baby steps” on a path to recognition, albeit with conditions.

However, deputy spokesman of the UN, Farhan Haq said the issue of the recognition of the acting government of Afghanistan was not on the table, but to focus on consensus to solve the problems of Afghanistan.

aw/ma

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