Iran said Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries and Russia, meeting in Tehran, have called on the Taliban and Pakistan to return to negotiations and resolve their differences through diplomatic means.
In a statement on the meeting, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Afghanistan’s neighbours and Russia supported efforts to de-escalate tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan and expressed readiness to help strengthen those efforts.
The statement added that regional countries are prepared to assist in promoting stability in Afghanistan if requested by authorities in Kabul.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said participants emphasised the need for greater regional convergence to address existing issues and challenges, including those related to Afghanistan. The statement, released on Monday, said Afghanistan’s neighbours also stressed the importance of integrating the country into regional political and economic processes.
According to the ministry, regional countries, while underscoring ongoing security threats, expressed readiness to assist Afghanistan in combating terrorism and drug trafficking.
The Tehran meeting was held on Sunday, with the participation of special representatives from China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Despite Iran’s emphasis on consensus among Afghanistan’s neighbours and Russia, no joint statement has been issued so far.
The Iranian statement made no reference to human rights violations in Afghanistan, including restrictions on education and employment for women and girls, or the formation of an inclusive government.
Instead, participants stressed the need to strengthen economic and trade relations with Afghanistan to improve the livelihoods of the Afghan people. Tehran said countries at the meeting called on the international community to lift sanctions and release Afghanistan’s frozen assets.
The statement also urged countries considered responsible for Afghanistan’s current situation to assist in rebuilding the country and improving economic and living conditions without using aid as a political tool.
Participants further called on international organisations to support the return of Afghan refugees.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the second round of the meeting of special representatives of Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries and Russia is scheduled to be held in Islamabad in March next year.
