Muttaqi, Qatar FM talk Afghanistan airports’ security pact

KABUL (Pajhwok): Acting Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has discussed with Qatari officials political and economic issues, as well as the terms of airports’ security agreement, which is yet to be finalized.

A high-level delegation led by Acting Transport and Aviation Minister Mullah Hamidullah Akhundzada arrived in Qatar three days ago. Muttaqi is also accompanying the delegation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the purpose of the visit was to discuss technical issues related to the agreement about five international airports in Afghanistan.

A spokesman for the ministry, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, said Mulavi Amir Khan Mottaqi and his delegation met with Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani.

"Besides a number of political and economic issues, the meeting also discussed issues related to agreement regarding Afghanistan airports’ security, on which the two sides have not yet reached full arrangement. Both sides identified points that need further discussion and clarification,” he said.

He said that technical teams of Afghanistan, Qatar and Turkey were working together to reach an agreement on the operation of Afghanistan's airports.

According to reports, the caretaker government of Afghanistan held several talks with Turkey and Qatar on the management of Afghanistan's five airports, but no final decision has been reached yet.

The previous government was overthrown on August 15, 2021, and was replaced by the current caretaker government.

Kabul Airport was under the control of US forces for US troops’ withdrawal for several days when the Taliban entered Kabul.

According to reports, US forces damaged some facilities, planes and helicopters at the airport during the withdrawal, but the facilities were rebuilt with the help of Qatar and Turkey and flights resumed.

mds/ma