Afghanistan Peace CampaignPakistan’s foreign minister also described continued attention to the situation in Afghanistan as important.
A meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Contact Group on Afghanistan was held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Qatar’s Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed at the meeting that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation should, through effective coordination and genuine dialogue, continue to keep Afghanistan high on the international agenda.
Referring to Qatar’s hosting of meetings under the Doha process, Al-Khulaifi said his country is also ready to host the fourth meeting of special envoys on Afghanistan.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: “Al-Khulaifi also referred to the third meeting of the Working Group on Counter-Narcotics and the second meeting of the Working Group on the Private Sector, which were held on the 9th and 10th of Saratan this year, and said Qatar looks forward to the fourth meeting of special envoys.”
The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation also reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting the people of Afghanistan, adding that its approach is based on engagement and practical cooperation with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities.
The OIC said in a statement: “Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting the people of Afghanistan and said the OIC’s approach is based on engagement and practical cooperation with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities—an approach that, according to him, should serve the interests of the Afghan people and ensure the continuation of humanitarian activities.”
Pakistan’s foreign minister also described continued attention to the situation in Afghanistan as important, adding that expanding cooperation with Afghanistan is conditional on a change in the current approach of the country’s de facto authorities.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said: “As members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, regional partners and neighbors, we can help Afghanistan integrate with the international community; however, the Taliban must first take the necessary steps to create a conducive environment.”
Azerbaijan’s deputy foreign minister said at the OIC Contact Group meeting on Afghanistan that by expanding cooperation in trade, transit and energy, Afghanistan has the potential to become a regional connectivity hub.
Yalchin Rafiyev also expressed support at the meeting for the efforts of the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan.
A statement from Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “At the meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan, support was expressed for the group’s efforts, and Afghanistan’s potential to become a regional connectivity hub through expanded cooperation in trade, transportation and energy was emphasized.”
The first meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan was held on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.