Doha meeting to talk next steps to alleviate uncertainties: Roza

KABUL (Pajhwok): Russia has stressed the need for negotiations with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) for sustainable peace in the country at this month’s UN Security Council session.

Iran also insists on unfreezing of Afghanistan assets and the US sees the international community’s role essential for stability in Afghanistan.

The UN-convened meeting is scheduled for June 30 and July 1 in Doha.

The IEA has decided to participate in the third UN-gathering in the Qatari capital.

Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UNAMA head Roza Otunbayeva has underlined the participation of the interim government in the third Doha meeting but said it did not mean the new rulers’ legitimization.

She said: “We hope that in Doha, key stakeholders will convene around the table, speak to each other face to face, reinforce the principles underlining the consensus to engage, and agree on next steps to alleviate the uncertainties that face the Afghan people”.

But she warned’ “Doha has generated significant expectations that cannot realistically be met in a single meeting”.

While there is no substitute for engagement with Afghanistan, “it cannot be repeated enough that this sort of engagement is not legitimization or normalization”, she added.

She acknowledged the interim administration had maintained political stability, but severe restrictions on women remained in place, with little space for internal dissent.

Stressing the need for internal political legitimacy, she added although Afghanistan received more than $7 billion in humanitarian assistance, the country remained beset by massive poverty.

She pointed out: “we are still in a crisis management mode”, despite the stability that the de facto authorities have continued to maintain in that country”.

She noted the business environment has improved due to better security and reduced corruption and pointed to the challenges posed by the lack of a clear legal framework, low demand and difficulties in accessing international banking and markets.

Meanwhile, Robert Wood, the Deputy Permanent Representative of the US to the United Nations, also asked the international community to stand by the people of Afghanistan, especially women and girls.

About the ban on girls’ schools above the grade six, he pointed out that this will have a negative impact on Afghanistan and future generations.

He also said for the stability and development of Afghanistan, only regional relations and cooperation are not enough, the international community should also play its role in this regard.

Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations has underlined the imperative of negotiations with the interim Afghan government for the sake of peace in the war-devastated country.

He said Moscow was concerned about the activities of the Islamic State in Afghanistan.

Iran’s representative highlighted Tehran’s commitment to supporting Afghanistan, noting that it is keeping its borders open to Afghan displaced and refugees during critical times, hosting more than 6 million Afghans.  Additionally, Iran has provided education to 700,000 Afghan students residing in the country.

He also called for release of Afghan assets.

kk/ma

Views: 56