By Banafsha Binesh in TOLOnews Online, June 02, 2023 at 9:19 PM
The Heads of State of Central Asia and the President of the European Council met in Kyrgyzstan and participants discussed the situation in Afghanistan in addition to exchanging views on general issues of security, connectivity, climate, digital, and critical raw material, according to the joint press release.
According to the joint press release, the participants articulated common concern over the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and reaffirmed their commitment to see Afghanistan develop into a secure, peaceful, stable, prosperous country.
“In this regard, they recognized the efforts of the international community to assist the people of Afghanistan in a principled manner and in accordance with international law and universally recognized norms and principles, despite difficult circumstances,” the press release said.
Participants called on the international community to step up humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and noted the key role of the UN in providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in a principled manner.
They underlined the importance of the establishment of an inclusive and representative government and the importance of promotion of and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Afghans citizens, in particular women, girls and ethnic groups, the press release said.
“In this respect, they noted the importance of the EU – Central Asia dialogue on Afghanistan, including the outcomes of the fourth meeting of the EU and Central Asia Special Representatives and Special Envoys for Afghanistan held on 25-26 May in Ashgabat,” it said.
The Islamic Emirate has yet to react to the statement, but prior to the summit spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told TOLOnews that Kabul expects such meetings to discuss the relations of the interim government with the international community.
“The meetings that are being held in these countries should focus on improving relations with Afghanistan. However the internal issues of Afghanistan, that belong to the Afghans, should not be mentioned by other countries,” Mujahid said.
“The concerns of the world and regional countries causes gatherings. This is a step forward to save the people of Afghanistan from the current crisis, to rescue the people of Afghanistan from poverty,” said Wais Naseri, political analyst.
On May 26, An EU-Central Asia meeting on Afghanistan was organized by EU Special Representative for Central Asia Terhi Hakala and EU special envoy for Afghanistan Tomas Niklasson and hosted by the Turkmenistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-183621
