Kabul, 30 January 2024 (TDI): On Monday, the Afghanistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a meeting on the Regional Cooperation Initiative in Kabul underlining Taliban regime efforts to foster cooperative actions in the region.
The conference organized by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan entitled “Afghanistan’s Regional Cooperation Initiative” gathered special representatives and ambassadors from 11 neighboring and regional countries.
The meeting was aimed at discussions and talks on establishing a region-centric narrative. The goal was to develop regional cooperation for a positive and constructive engagement between Afghanistan and regional countries.
Foreign Minister address
Foreign Minister Muttaqi in his keynote address mentioned that Afghanistan has experienced insecurity and instability for nearly half a century owing to foreign interventions.
It does not want any other country in the region to experience instability. Therefore, regional security remains of grave importance for the Afghanistan government.
Afghanistan has been able to organize its governance structure, organize the triple security forces, neutralize national and regional threats by antagonist groups, ban the poppy cultivation, mobilize the countries economic engine, kick off major development projects,
— Hafiz Zia Ahmad (@HafizZiaAhmad) January 29, 2024
He expressed the desire with the meeting participants to portray the ground realities of today’s Afghanistan in the upcoming Doha meeting to the distant sides. So, the other countries can enter into a realistic and acceptable approach for Afghanistan.
The Foreign Minister stressed that Afghanistan does not seek confrontation and controversy with any state and expects that its choices shall be respected by others too. He called on that instead of proposing governance models and pointing fingers at the system, it is better to engage on mutual interests.
Need for effective economic cooperation
Muttaqi underscored that Afghanistan and the region’s economic progress and development share a consistent relationship. This economic dependency requires further enhancement of joint work in the region.
Additionally, he underlined that this effective cooperation will lead to common regional benefits. The Minister deemed the engagement pathways necessary to tackle existing and potential threats in the region.
Countries’ representative’s statements
A representative of Indonesia said regional cooperation is the stepping stone for international cooperation. We cannot make progress without each other. We demand that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan become an active part of the international community.
Pakistan’s Charge d’Affairs in Afghanistan described Afghanistan’s role as pivotal in regional economic connectivity. Moreover, he highlighted that major economic projects can be implemented in an environment of peace and security. He also requested joint work on common demands and concerns.
Indian representative stated India actively takes part in international and regional initiatives regarding Afghanistan. It supports every effort leading to the stability and development of Afghanistan.
Also Read: Pakistan and US discuss situation in Afghanistan
Afghan Foreign Minister while speaking to the media after the regional cooperation initiative meeting of Afghanistan said all the participants of the conference unanimously called for peace, stability, and development in Afghanistan for the benefit of the entire region.
Amir Khan Muttaqi has briefed the media that they emphasized joint cooperation on the implementation of major economic projects like TAPI, TAP, and Casa Zar railway projects for the growth of the economy in this conference.
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