The US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan held separate talks with the Qatar Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Afghan government delegation in Doha, the capital of Qatar. At the same time, the US State Department confirmed that the US is holding talks with Turkey on cooperation in Afghanistan.
The Afghan government delegation that negotiated with the Taliban movement in Doha stated that “the head of the delegation and its members met with Khalilzad, the U.S. special envoy for peace in Afghanistan, in Doha, the capital of Qatar.”
The delegation tweeted that they discussed the Afghan peace process and the obstacles it faces with Khalilzad, and emphasized the need to resolve these issues as soon as possible.
The delegation also pointed out that the U.S. envoy reiterated the U.S. government’s support for the peace process in Afghanistan.
On the other hand, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed and Khalilzad discussed the development of the situation in the region, especially the latest developments in Afghanistan.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar added that during the talks, they reiterated Qatar’s commitment to encourage dialogue in Afghanistan and work to promote peace negotiations until a fair and lasting political settlement was reached in Afghanistan.
Before going to Doha, the US special envoy for Afghanistan announced that the US military intervention in Afghanistan is nearing completion. He also emphasized that reaching a settlement through negotiations is the only way to achieve peace in Afghanistan.
He also added that the United States will actively cooperate with all parties in Afghanistan, as well as regional and international stakeholders, in an effort to help both parties find a way to end this war and ensure the security, unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, so as to finally end. The suffering endured by the Afghan people.
With the mediation of Qatar and the support of the United States, the Afghan government and the Taliban movement launched a historic peace talks in Doha on September 12, 2020, aimed at ending the 42-year armed conflict between the two sides.
Prior to this, Qatar also played the role of a mediator in the negotiations between the United States and the Taliban movement. In the end, the United States and the Taliban signed a historic agreement in late February 2020 and gradually withdrew from Afghanistan in the United States. A consensus was reached on the issue of exchanging prisoners.
In his speech to the American people last Thursday, US President Joe Biden pointed out that the conflict between the Afghan security forces and the Taliban is escalating. At this time, the US military is withdrawing from the country and plans to be before August 31 this year. Complete the withdrawal task.
Talks between the U.S. and Turkey
In this context, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price announced on the 12th that “the discussion between the United States and Turkey on security cooperation in Afghanistan continues.”
Prior to this, Turkey offered to assume the task of operating and protecting Kabul International Airport after the US military withdrew from Afghanistan.
Price declined to provide further details on the issue of airport management arrangements.
Price said, “Of course we welcome Turkey’s constructive role in the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and the broader security situation.” He also added that the two countries are still discussing broader security cooperation in Afghanistan.
In late June this year, the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced that it had held discussions with the US delegation on the operation of Hamid Karzai International Airport in the capital of Afghanistan.
At that time, the Turkish Ministry of Defense pointed out in a statement that the two sides discussed how to cooperate in the operation and protection of the airport after NATO ends its combat mission codenamed “firm support.”
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