Moscow Supports Afghanistan Joining SCO, Says Russian Envoy

Putin stated that it is essential to ensure the implementation of all agreements at the UN level, including a government with the participation of all ethnic groups in Afghanistan.

On Tuesday, in Saint Petersburg, Putin also emphasised on the importance of maintaining relations with the Taliban.

During a meeting with media executives in Saint Petersburg, the Russian President mentioned that during his trip to Tashkent, he discussed Afghanistan with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Uzbekistan.

He explained that one of Uzbekistan's challenges is access to the seas. "There are various options here, including developing logistics through Afghan territory," he said.

He further stressed that stability in Afghanistan is crucial for both Uzbekistan and Russia.

Putin said, "We must ensure that all agreements at the UN level are implemented, including a government with the participation of all ethnic groups in Afghanistan. This is a delicate and very important issue. But we need to establish relations with the Taliban."

Putin added, "We need to improve relations with the neighbouring country somehow, especially since Uzbekistan has a long border, and we need to ensure security and, I repeat, develop logistics."

A few days ago, during his visit to Tashkent, the Russian President also emphasised on the need to establish relations with the Taliban, as the group controls Afghanistan and its territories.

Putin stated, "We must act considering this reality and adjust our relations accordingly."

Without elaborating on the existing problems in Afghanistan, Putin said, "Everyone is aware of them."

However, the Russian President added that how to establish relations with the current power, the Taliban, is another question, but there must be some form of relationship with them.

He mentioned consulting with regional partners, including in Central Asia, regarding relations with the Taliban and said that they take into account the opinions of each of their partners and friends and will be coordinated on this issue.

In a statement, the Norwegian government said that women and girls in Afghanistan are at risk and Norway needs contact with the Taliban to support them.

On Tuesday, the Norwegian government in a statement added that its total aid to Afghanistan in 2024 will amount to 550 million krone (approximately 52 million USD).

The government assured that this financial aid will not fall into the hands of the Taliban, but will be channeled through international organisations.

Espen Barth Eide, Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated in the announcement, "It is important to continue our commitments to Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, women and girls are at risk and need support. Therefore, we need to communicate with the Taliban to clearly express our views on their unacceptable treatment of women and girls."

In May, Norway hosted several members of civil society, women's rights activists, and Taliban representatives. This policy of hosting and dialogue has been criticised by opponents of the Taliban as Norway's disregard for the Taliban's behaviour and policies.

The statement quoted the Norwegian Minister of International Development, who said, "Afghans are suffering from a prolonged humanitarian crisis. According to UN estimates, nearly 23 million people need humanitarian assistance."

The Norwegian official also mentioned the casualties and damages caused by floods in northern and western Afghanistan, emphasising on the importance of addressing the situation of internally displaced persons and refugees in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.

Norway stated that its aid will be delivered through the Red Cross, the United Nations, and other international relief agencies, focusing on education, health, migrants, and internally displaced persons.

Miller stated that governments must obtain authorisation for the travel of Taliban officials who are on the United Nations sanctions list and respect this process.

He said, "member-states hosting UN-sanctioned Taliban members must seek permission for travel through an exemption process”.

He added that the authorisation must be obtained through the travel exemption process as specified in UN Sanctions Committee Resolution 1988, and, it is important for member states to follow this procedure.

On Tuesday, the Taliban's Interior Minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, made an official visit to Abu Dhabi and met with high-ranking Emirati officials, including the President of the UAE, in Abu Dhabi.

He made this trip despite the US offering a $10 million reward for Haqqani's capture due to his involvement in deadly terrorist attacks. This reward remains listed on the US Department of Justice's website.

The Taliban stated that strengthening relations between the UAE and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, digitising traffic management within the Interior Ministry, and facilitating visa issuance for Afghans were among the topics agreed upon by the UAE government and the Taliban's Interior Minister.

The reception of Haqqani at the level of the UAE President indicates the importance of this influential Taliban figure to the country.

Sources have indicated that he is likely to meet with US officials in the UAE during this trip.

The office stated that corporal punishment, such as flogging, violates human dignity and Afghanistan's international obligations.

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, also condemned the corporal punishment by the Taliban and called for an end to this practice.

On Tuesday, the Taliban had announced that 63 people, including 49 men and 14 women, were publicly flogged in the central stadium of Sar-e Pul province. The Taliban's Supreme Court stated that these individuals were charged with "theft, sodomy, and illicit relations”.

In response to this action by the Taliban, the UN Human Rights Office said, "We are deeply disturbed by the widespread, continued use of corporal punishment in Afghanistan and urge the de facto authorities to immediately cease all forms of corporal punishment. "

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, also condemned the widespread flogging of men, women, and children in Sar-e Pul and Ghor for so-called "moral crimes" such as adultery and elopement. He emphasised that this practice violates Afghanistan's obligations to prohibit torture and other forms of cruel and inhuman punishment, calling for an immediate end to it.

The UN Human Rights Office stated that public punishments increase violence against women. The office said that women who are publicly punished for adultery and other “so-called” moral crimes are more at risk of domestic and social violence.

The Taliban has repeatedly rejected criticisms from governments and human rights organisations regarding corporal punishment in Afghanistan. The Taliban has accused foreign governments and organisations of interfering in its internal affairs and stated that these punishments have religious legitimacy and will not be abandoned.

The Taliban's Ministry of Agriculture also stated that Afghan saffron has achieved the top rank for best taste for the ninth time.

The International Institute of Taste annually assesses the quality of food products from various countries and ranks them following laboratory tests.

On Wednesday, the Taliban's Ministry of Agriculture announced that Herat saffron, representing Afghan saffron, was evaluated in the laboratory of this institute and Afghan saffron has achieved the top rank for best and highest quality taste for the ninth time.

The ministry, citing statistics from the Agricultural Statistics and Information Directorate for the year 2023, stated that a total of 8,304 hectares of land in 26 provinces of the country were under saffron cultivation. From this total land, over 23 metric tonnes of saffron were collected, with 22 metric tonnes harvested from Herat province.

Earlier, the Taliban's Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced that in 2023, Afghanistan exported 67 tonnes of saffron worth USD 49 million to nine different countries.

The Taliban stated that following the prohibition of poppy cultivation, saffron cultivation has increased in 26 provinces of Afghanistan.