UAE Envoy Visits Kabul, Pledges Humanitarian Aid & Stronger Ties With Taliban
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reiterated its firm and ongoing commitment to providing humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UAE confirmed that Saif Mohammed Al Ketbi, the UAE’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan, had emphasised the country’s dedication to deepening cooperation with Afghanistan. This includes support for refugee repatriation, addressing humanitarian needs, and contributing to the country’s stability and development.
Al Ketbi, accompanied by a high-level UAE delegation, visited Kabul last Thursday. He held meetings with senior Taliban officials, including Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s Acting Foreign Minister; Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs; and Nooruddin Azizi, Minister of Industry and Commerce.
According to the statement released on Monday, the talks focused on ways the UAE can support both humanitarian and development efforts in Afghanistan.
Al Ketbi also discussed strengthening economic ties and supporting reconstruction projects during his meeting with the Taliban’s commerce minister.
The statement underlined Al Ketbi’s reaffirmation of the UAE’s “steadfast commitment and continued support” for the Afghan people.
Separately, the Taliban’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce stated that both sides agreed on enhancing trade relations. They reportedly discussed the potential appointment of a Taliban commercial attaché in the UAE, the establishment of an Afghanistan trade centre to manage imports and exports, and facilitating the participation of Afghan industrialists and traders in the Gulfood exhibition in Dubai.
The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also noted that discussions between Muttaqi and Al Ketbi covered the expansion of bilateral ties, visa facilitation, and regional developments.
