Taliban’s FM Opposes Appointment Of New UN Special Envoy For Afghanistan
Amir Khan Muttaqi, Taliban's Foreign Minister, has expressed his opposition to the appointment of a new United Nations special envoy for Afghanistan.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, Taliban's Foreign Minister, has expressed his opposition to the appointment of a new United Nations special envoy for Afghanistan.
During a meeting in Kabul with Zhao Xing, the Chinese ambassador, Muttaqi declared that Afghanistan is not engaged in war and therefore, does not need an "extra" UN representative.
The Taliban's Foreign Ministry had previously criticised the idea of appointing a UN special envoy for Afghanistan and called it as “unnecessary”.
This stance came after the adoption of a new resolution by the UN Security Council, which was passed with 13 affirmative votes, and abstentions from Russia and China, requesting the UN Secretary-General to nominate a special envoy for Afghanistan.
Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a spokesperson for the Taliban's Foreign Ministry, reported on Muttaqi's discussions with the Chinese ambassador, covering bilateral ties, regional concerns, and China's humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. Muttaqi positively evaluated the relationship with China and acknowledged Beijing's backing of the group in both regional and global arenas.
Balkhi noted that the Chinese ambassador called for a "long-term friendship with Afghanistan," grounded in the principles of Chinese foreign policy, and stressed on the importance of mutual benefits. The ambassador pledged 100 million Chinese yuan in aid to Afghan returnees.
China is among the few nations that have fostered close relations with the Taliban following their ascent to power, having signed various agreements in the Afghan mining sector.
