Exclusive: Eyebrows Raised As Taliban FM’s 10-Day Stay In Turkiye Garners Attention
Reliable sources informed Afghanistan International that Amir Khan Muttaqi, Taliban’s foreign minister, has been in Turkiye since the last 10 days.
Reliable sources informed Afghanistan International that Amir Khan Muttaqi, Taliban’s foreign minister, has been in Turkiye since the last 10 days.
According to sources, Muttaqi arrived in Turkiye on October 19, but the Taliban spokespersons have avoided publicising the visit.
A credible source, who spoke to Afghanistan International on the condition of anonymity, said that Muttaqi had travelled to Turkiye for treatment of "his heart disease and general health examinations" as well as holding discussions with Afghan businessmen about his "personal business" issues.
There is no information about the details of Muttaqi’s conversations with the businessmen.
According to the details provided by the sources to Afghanistan International, the Taliban’s foreign minister requested a meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister last week, but he has not received a response yet.
He also held a meeting with the employees of Afghanistan’s diplomatic mission in Ankara on Wednesday, October 25.
Sources said that employees who are in touch with the Taliban's foreign ministry participated in this meeting. However, several diplomats from the previous Afghan government refused to meet with the Taliban’s foreign minister.
Although the Turkish government does not recognise the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, it has close ties with the group.
Turkiye has so far issued visas to a number Taliban diplomats and allowed them to start their work at the Afghan embassy in Ankara and the Afghan consulate in Istanbul.
On the other hand, some of the leaders of the National Resistance Council for Salvation of Afghanistan, traditionally viewed as opposition to the Taliban, also reside in Turkiye.
