Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon on Tuesday met with US peace envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad in Dushanbe and discussed the Afghan peace process, the Tajik president’s official website said.

Rahmon and Khalilzad discussed the latest developments in Afghanistan, the process of reestablishing peace and stability in Afghanistan, as well as a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest.  

Rahmon said the expansion of bilateral collaboration between Tajikistan and Afghanistan is at "the center of his attention." 

“Tajikistan supports the Afghan government's aspirations to establish security, peace and stability in the country. Dushanbe welcomes the inter-Afghan negotiations that are taking place to this end,” Rahmon said.  

While discussing the issues of providing regional security, the parties noted the importance of strengthening and expanding cooperation in addressing modern challenges and threats, including terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and organized transnational crime.  

Rahmon also said that his country will continue making efforts to facilitate the solution of problems facing Afghanistan and make contributions to its economic reconstruction.  

Khalilzad has previously said that a Taliban plan to seize control of Afghanistan with a military takeover would not be acceptable to the international community.

According to a statement from the US embassy, Khalilzad "emphasized that there was strong consensus within both the regional and international community against any effort by the Taliban to pursue a military takeover. Only a negotiated settlement can end over 40 years of war in Afghanistan and Ambassador Khalilzad pledged common cause with Afghan leaders to accelerate efforts to reach an inclusive settlement and permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.”

In separate meetings with Afghan political leaders in Kabul, Khalilzad called for a political consensus to be formed among Afghan political leaders to help pave the way for successful peace negotiation talks with the Taliban.

Meanwhile, President Ashraf Ghani said that with the completion of the withdrawal of foreign forces, all decisions regarding the country will be taken by the Afghan people and the government. He again called on the Taliban to surrender to peace.

He said that the Afghan government is ready for all scenarios if provoked.