Doha meeting on Afghanistan begins behind closed doors

ATLANTA (Pajhwok): The second UN-led meeting on Afghanistan, bringing together special envoys from various countries, has started behind closed doors in Doha.

Qatar hosted on Sunday the meeting, with the participation of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Doha said in a statement.

Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi reiterated Doha’s commitment to supporting the people of Afghanistan.

Speaking to participants of the opening session, he renewed his country’s sincere aspiration to advance its partnership with Afghanistan.

According to the statement, he also expressed Qatar’s pride in its partnership with the UN to support the people of Afghanistan.

He said Qatar welcomed recommendations of the UN report as constructive and comprehensive, The proposals could provide a consistent approach towards Afghanistan, the minister  believed.

He insisted the recommendations provided a clear roadmap and practical mechanisms. If implemented in a correct manner, they could break the current stalemate and help move beyond the current situation regarding international engagement with Afghanistan.

He suggested further consultations on the recommendations with the caretaker Afghan government would be more beneficial.

According to the diplomat, the State of Qatar would be pleased to continue hosting such an official platform that created a suitable environment for achieving better results.

The office of the UN secretary-general said special representatives from the US, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Pakistan, Qatar, Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, the European Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation participated in the meeting.

With details about the first day yet to yet to be disclosed, the two-day gathering will discuss increased interaction with the caretaker government and establishing harmony with the country.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was invited to this meeting, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Kabul it called unbeneficial and decided against participation in it.

kk/mud

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