Doha huddle paved way for interaction with IEA: UN

KABUL (Pajhwok): Special Representative of UN Secretary-General Roza Otunbayeva has recalled the third Doha meeting provided an opportunity for member states to engage directly with the caretaker Afghan government on a range of concerns.

At a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) session, Otunbayeva said:  “The meeting provided an opportunity for member states and international organisations to engage directly with the de facto authorities on a range of concerns.”

In a statement from the 15 member council, she said the UN had invited representatives from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to the third meeting in the Doha format last July

She added: “During the meeting, all major issues, including human rights, were raised. The delegations from Kabul heard loud and clear the concerns of the international community and were given a chance to respond.”

The third UN-led meeting was held on June 31 and July 1 in Doha, the capital of Qatar. The huddle was attended by an IEA delegation, headed by its chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, and representatives from more than 30 countries.

The participants of the meeting had discussed sanctions on Afghanistan’s financial and banking system, challenges facing the private sector and the measures taken by the interim government against drugs.

kk/mud