KABUL (Pajhwok): A senior official of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) government has met a delegation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and stressed the expansion of Afghanistan-OIC relationships, according to a statement on Sunday.
Mawlavi Abdul Salaam Hanifi, the acting prime minister aide for administrative affairs, has held a meeting with the visiting OIC delegation headed by Dr. Tariq Ali Bakheet, Assistant Secretary General and Special Representative of the OIC secretary general. Human rights, economic affairs, social affairs and youth affairs officials were also present during the meeting.
A statement from the administrative aide office said that Dr. Bakheet informed Mawlavi Hanafi about the OIC 15th foreign ministers meeting in Gambia and said: “We are ready to cooperate with Afghanistan in different areas.”
He said it is expected that OIC will ink contracts with Turkish TIKA and Azerbaijan’s development organisations amid aid delivery and development projects implementation in Afghanistan on a priority basis.
Mawlavi Hanifi said that IEA respected OIC, hailed its leadership valuable consultation and input and wished improved relationship with the multinational forum.
He hoped that OIC would reflect upon Afghanistan’s true image and realities to the world.
Hanafi invited the OIC secretary general to visit Afghanistan and added Islamic world had shared pain and that effort should be made to find a collective solution to these problems.
He said Afghanistan was in post-conflict era and concentrated on governance for which it needed the support and help of OIC.
He demanded the invitation of IEA representatives to the upcoming OIC meeting in Gambia to hear the consultations of the OIC representatives and inform them about the current realities in Afghanistan.
Earlier, Dr. Bakheet and the accompanying delegation called on IEA-Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on his Twitter handle wrote: “FM Muttaqi presented information regarding the end of bloodshed in the country, strengthening of security & elimination of Daesh; the active participation of women in health, education, commerce & other fields; the special attention of IEA-leader to ensuring women's basic rights, IEA’s continued assistance to widows, orphans & disabled, & several other issues.”
He said: “Conveying greetings of the SG of OIC, Mr. Bakheet said that this visit is part of the strategy of OIC’s constructive engagement with Afghanistan, He hailed the efforts & progress made by the IEA in countering narcotics & corruption, ensuring security & in other areas, emphasizing the need for direct engagement & understanding between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan & OIC member states.”
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