The second round of the Regional Contact Group meeting on Afghanistan was held today (Saturday) in Tehran with the participation of special representatives from Iran, Russia, Pakistan, and China.
The ambassador and special representative of Iran for Afghanistan described the current crisis in Afghanistan as severe and stated that to overcome it, the interim government should form a government comprising competent individuals from various sectors.
Hassan Kazemi Qomi also mentioned that the recommendations given to the interim government do not imply interference in Afghanistan’s affairs.
In a press conference related to this meeting, Kazemi Qomi stated, “The scale of the crisis and challenges in Afghanistan is significant. It requires utilizing national capacities within the country, along with beneficial and favorable regional cooperation. This does not mean interference but is a suggestion and well-intentioned advice.”
He added that the third Doha meeting on Afghanistan was one of the topics discussed in this meeting.
The acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, in a message read by his assistant during the meeting, emphasized that Iran supports constructive initiatives for peace, stability, and development in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Zaki Jalali, the head of the third political department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate, stated that although they were invited to the Regional Contact Group meeting on Afghanistan, they did not attend. He added that existing mechanisms should be used in meetings concerning Afghanistan instead of creating new structures.
Zaki Jalali said, “Despite being invited, the Afghan government did not participate. At the same time, the Afghan government expects that meetings held about Afghanistan should utilize established mechanisms rather than creating new ones. The Afghan government is engaged in discussions with relevant parties regarding Doha 3.”
Sayed Akbar Sial Wardak, a political analyst, told TOLOnews, “I think the Eastern countries in the region that organized the Contact Group meeting created an important platform, and the Islamic Emirate should have participated.”
Samiullah Ahmadzai, another political analyst, said, “The holding of the Contact Group meeting in Tehran before the Doha meeting indicates that regional countries are trying to have a unified stance at the Doha meeting.”
Earlier, the Special Representative of Russia for Afghanistan had said that the Regional Contact Group meeting would focus on preparations for the third Doha meeting.