Hafiz Zia Ahmad, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced on Monday that Amir Khan Muttaqi, the group’s foreign minister, met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s foreign minister.
According to Ahmad, the two sides discussed Afghanistan-Qatar bilateral relations, the enhancement of diplomatic and trade ties, and key regional issues during their meeting.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement regarding the talks, said that Al Thani reaffirmed Qatar’s steadfast support for the Afghan people and its ongoing efforts to help achieve security, stability, and a dignified life in Afghanistan.
The Qatari statement noted that discussions focused on developments in Afghanistan and ways to support the Afghan people, but it did not explicitly mention efforts to strengthen diplomatic or commercial ties.
Nevertheless, Ahmad quoted Al Thani as describing Qatar’s relationship with the Taliban as “close and brotherly,” and expressing satisfaction with the group’s expanding relations with regional countries.
The Qatari foreign minister also highlighted the importance of boosting trade relations between the two countries and advocated for consistent and sustained communication between their private sectors.
During the meeting, Muttaqi thanked Qatar for its “official” invitation, describing the country’s role in the Taliban’s “foreign policy” as significant. He praised Qatar’s efforts in facilitating the Taliban’s engagement with the international community.
Muttaqi further emphasised the need to upgrade diplomatic relations and strengthen bilateral ties, proposing that Qatar invest in Afghanistan’s development and commercial opportunities.
Qatar, a key supporter of the Taliban, previously hosted the group’s political office in Doha, which paved the way for the 18-month negotiations between the Taliban and the United States, prior to the collapse of Afghanistan’s former government.
