Tehran Afghanistan forum ends, urging Taliban to ensure security

“[We call for] continued and realistic support for resolution of disputes through talks and negotiations among relevant parties to achieve national reconciliation, a lasting political solution and formation of an inclusive government,” foreign ministers of neighboring countries, Iran, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan plus Russia, said in a joint statement.

They expressed their support for the national sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and rejected any foreign interference in its affairs.

The ministers called on the Taliban to ensure “the territory of Afghanistan would create no threat for the neighboring countries”. They also underlined the significance of the Taliban protecting the legitimate rights of foreign nationals and institutions as well as all ethnic and religious groups and women in Afghanistan.

“[We] strongly condemn terrorist attacks in any form and manner against ethnic and religious groups, especially the recent terrorist attacks against mosques,” the ministers stressed in their statement.

The participants also voiced deep concern about the political and economic situation in Afghanistan and called for international humanitarian assistance to the country, especially by the US and other western countries, as “those bearing the main responsible” for the current situation in the country.

It was an echo of the comments by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in his video message to the meeting. He said Afghanistan is facing a “mounting humanitarian crisis” that needs urgent action.