The first high-level meeting after the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan was held between delegations of the United States and the Islamic Emirate in the Qatari capital on Saturday.
Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in an audio message said talks were held on relations between Kabul and Washington, the implementation of the Doha agreement, humanitarian assistance, and the release of Afghanistan's assets, among other topics.
“In this meeting, humanitarian assistance was discussed and also the full implementation of the Doha agreement, and respect for Afghanistan’s airspace was emphasized,” Muttaqi said.
The US State Department's press secretary said the formation of an inclusive government, safe passage for US nationals and their local colleagues, and women's rights are key parts of the US delegation's talks with the Islamic Emirate team.
“This meeting is not about granting recognition or conferring legitimacy. We remain clear that any legitimacy must be earned through the Taliban’s own actions. They need to establish a sustained track record,” a senior US official told Reuters.
Meanwhile, the US deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman went to Pakistan on Thursday for a two-day visit to Islamabad to discuss Afghanistan.
US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, who has for years spearheaded US dialogue with the Taliban and been a key figure in peace talks, is not part of the US delegation.
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