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Pakistan, US, China, Russia agree to keep cooperating with Taliban
A joint statement issued by special envoys of Pakistan, the United States, China and Russia after a meeting in Islamabad said they "agreed to continue practical engagement with the Taliban to encourage the implementation of moderate and prudent policies that can help achieve a stable and prosperous Afghanistan as soon as possible."
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Pakistan's Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi gives a joint press conference with his German counterpart on April 12, 2021 at the Foreign Office in Berlin.
(AFP/Kay Nietfeld )
A
grouping of four countries known as the "extended troika on Afghanistan" on Thursday agreed to continue cooperating with the Taliban regime to encourage moderation in its stances.
A joint statement issued by special envoys of Pakistan, the United States, China and Russia after a meeting in Islamabad said they "agreed to continue practical engagement with the Taliban to encourage the implementation of moderate and prudent policies that can help achieve a stable and prosperous Afghanistan as soon as possible."
It was the first meeting of the group since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan's capital Kabul in mid-August.
The country has since been confronted with twin humanitarian and economic crises.
The situation has further exacerbated because of lack of international recognition for the Taliban because of concerns about human rights, especially girls' education, terrorism, issues related to delivery of humanitarian assistance and access for aid workers, and permission for those wanting to leave the country.
However, several countries have kept their channels of communication open with the Taliban.
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, while inaugurating the meeting, said, "The engagement with Afghanistan must not only continue but should be enhanced for multiple reasons."
Pakistan has emerged as the chief advocate of international community's engagement with the Taliban, arguing it would prevent Afghanistan's relapse into civil war, avert economic collapse, deny space for terrorists and preempt a refugee crisis.
The participating countries also called on the Taliban to adopt a "friendly approach" toward neighboring countries and honor Afghanistan's international legal obligations, including universally accepted principles of international law and fundamental human rights, and to protect the safety and legitimate rights of foreign nationals and institutions in Afghanistan.
Taliban acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who was on a three-day visit to Pakistan leading a delegation, met with the special envoys on the sidelines of the session.
A diplomatic source said the envoys reiterated their concerns regarding the Taliban and called for formation of an inclusive and representative government, access to education for women and girls, and preventing Afghan soil from being used by terrorists against other countries.
