Taliban warn against isolating Afghanistan

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – The Taliban warned Thursday against isolating Afghanistan, saying the policy has failed in the past and “no one” wants that to repeat.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) “is a reality, and we are ready to engage with the international community and resolve issues through talks and understanding based on mutual interests and positive interaction,” said Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban’s UN nominee, in a meeting with ambassadors of several countries in Qatar’s capital Doha.

The Taliban call its administration the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan – the name under which it ruled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001 before the US invaded the country. The group regained control of the war-torn country in August this year after foreign forces exited after 20 years.

“Isolation of Afghanistan in the past proved to be a failed policy which didn’t serve any one. No one wants that,” said Shaheen.

A Twitter statement by Shaheen said the meeting, arranged by the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, was held with the ambassadors of the European Union, Canada, the UK, the US, Norway, Japan and South Korea.

Shaheen claimed the envoys reiterated their commitment to continue to provide Afghanistan with humanitarian aid.

He told the ambassadors that the incomplete reconstruction projects “should start in Afghanistan.”

In view of the coming winter, Shaheen said “there is dire need for humanitarian aid in the country.”

The UN has warned of a looming “humanitarian catastrophe” as the country remains in dire need of foreign funding to meet basic needs after foreign forces exited the country in August.