KABUL – The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Haneef Atmar met this afternoon with Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Kabul, Mr. Ole Andreas Lindeman.
Mr. Atmar appreciated Norway's cooperation with Afghanistan over the past two decades and its support for the peace process, human rights, women's rights and the rule of law in the country.
The two sides discussed the Afghan government's preparations for the renewal of the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the two countries and the continuation of cooperation within the framework of the said agreement.
The Norwegian Ambassador termed the renewal of the agreement important for the continuation of partnership between the two countries, and assured Mr. Atmar of Norway’s continued support for the Afghan peace talks.
KABUL – The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Haneef Atmar met with Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Kabul, Mr. Dmitry Zhirnov.
Speaking about his recent visit to Moscow, Mr. Atmar thanked the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the warm and cordial reception extended to him and his accompanying delegation, and highlighted the achievements of the visit in expanding bilateral relations in the political, security and economic arenas.
The Russian ambassador to Kabul talked about holding the Afghan peace talks in Moscow, and informed Mr. Atmar of invitations extended to the Afghan government leaders and politicians.
The Afghan Foreign Minister discussed the significant role of Russian Federation in strengthening the regional and international consensus for achieving a sustainable peace in Afghanistan adding that soon he would share the perspectives of the Afghan government with Russia regarding the Moscow meeting.
KABUL – Deputy Foreign Minister, Mirwais Nab, met with, Charge d' Affaires of the US Embassy in Kabul, Mr. Ian J. McCary at the Storay Palace this afternoon.
During the meeting, Mr. Nab spoke about his recent visit to the Republic of Tajikistan which was aimed at coordinating the 9th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process to be held in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, and stressed the importance of Central Asian countries' support for peace talks.
Both sides discussed issues of mutual interest, including the peace process and the expectations of the Afghan government and people of the ongoing endeavors towards restoration of security and stability, emphasizing the importance of supporting national, regional and global peace talks.
KABUL – The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Haneef Atmar met with the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan Ms. Deborah Lyons.
The two sides discussed the Afghan peace process emphasizing the constructive role of the United Nations in strengthening and facilitating peace talks.
Speaking about his working trips to regional countries, Mr. Atmar stated that the regional consensus was growing on achieving a political solution that guarantees lasting peace in Afghanistan.
Stressing the vital role of the international community in ensuring a lasting peace in Afghanistan, Ms. Lyons assured the Foreign Minister of the United Nations' continued efforts to expand regional and global consensus.
The two sides also termed the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2513 vitally important for reducing violence, securing ceasefire, preventing terrorist activities, pursuing meaningful negotiations, and achieving a peaceful settlement leading to a permanent peace in Afghanistan.
KABUL – The Minister Foreign Affairs Mohammad Haneef Atmar met today with the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Mr. Zalmay Khalilzad.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the latest developments and challenges in the Afghan peace process and the review of Taliban’s commitments by Washington. They also talked and exchanged views on the joint efforts of Washington and Kabul for the success of the peace negotiations with the Taliban.
Welcoming Mr. Khalilzad to Kabul, the Minister of Foreign Affairs praised the joint efforts of Afghanistan and the United States towards finding a peaceful solution to the current crisis in Afghanistan, and stressed the importance of regional and international support for an end-state that guarantees sustainable peace in Afghanistan.
Mr. Khalilzad also termed the role of regional countries important in the peace process. He assured Minister Atmar of the US full support for establishing regional consensus and consolidating global support for Afghanistan’s peace process.
DUSHANBE – Deputy Foreign Minister Mirwais Nab met with the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan, Ms. Davlatzoda Zulfiya Davlat, in Dushanbe.
At the outset, the Deputy Foreign Minister spoke about the historical, civilizational, and cultural commonalities between the two brotherly and friendly countries, stating that these commonalities define and regulate Kabul and Dushanbe's relations beyond any international covenants.
Talking about the cultural programs to be held on the sidelines of the 9th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process in Dushanbe, Mr. Nab considered establishing relations between national libraries, holding joint cultural meetings, creating friendship associations, honoring common cultural figures, and increasing the number of Afghan students in Tajikistan are essential for strengthening and expanding cultural ties between them. The Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister also called for joint efforts by the two countries' governments and peoples in the concerned areas.
Welcoming Mr. Nab's suggestions and views, Ms. Dolatzada informed the Deputy Foreign Minister of her country's readiness to develop cultural ties between Kabul and Dushanbe and provide more scholarships to the Afghan youth.
KABUL – In a phone call today, the Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan and Japan discussed the Afghan peace process, continuation of Japanese assistance to Afghanistan, aid effectiveness and the fight against corruption, the investigation into the assassination of Tetsu Nakamura, and the expansion of bilateral relations between the two friendly countries.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Haneef Atmar called Japan a trusted and generous partner and expressed gratitude for Tokyo's continued assistance. Mr. Atmar shared the latest developments in the peace process with his Japanese counterpart, including the Taliban's breaches of their commitments. He briefed the Japanese Foreign Minister about the Government of IRoA's commitment to advance the peace process and fulfill its obligations in this regard.
The Japanese Foreign Minister condemned the targeted killings and car bombings in Afghanistan, calling for a reduction in violence and making progress in the peace process. Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi assured Mr. Atmar that Japan would continue to provide aid assistance to Afghanistan until 2024 and help our country fight the Covid 19 pandemic. He highlighted the effectiveness of aid assistance and stressed the importance of combatting corruption in this regard. Mr. Motegi also thanked Afghanistan for investigating the murder of late Mr. Tetsu Nakamura.
In the end, both sides placed great emphasis on the expansion of bilateral relations between the two friendly countries.
DUSHANBE - Deputy Foreign Minister Mirwais Nab, who is paying an official visit to Tajikistan, met with the First Deputy of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, Khusrav Noziri, in Dushanbe.
During the meeting, both sides, while exchanged views on convening the 9th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process, called the mentioned conference extremely important for strengthening regional and international consensus in support of the Afghan peace process.
The Deputy Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan and Tajikistan discussed ways of concluding the bilateral agreements between Kabul and Dushanbe before the 9th Ministerial Conference of Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process.
The two sides stressed the significance of the strategic agreement between both countries, calling it significant and valuable steps towards expanding intergovernmental and people-to-people relations between the two brotherly neighboring countries.
DUSHANBE - Deputy Foreign Minister Mirwais Nab met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Sirajuddin Mehruddin, in Dushanbe-Tajikistan.
The Deputy Foreign Minister said that convening the Ninth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process was critical given the current volatile situation, emphasizing the Afghan government's commitment to continuing the peace talks while maintaining the achievements of the last nineteen years.
Mr. Nab noted that having a stable and democratic Afghanistan would be of vital significance for the region's stability and security and the economic development of the countries of Central and South Asia.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan assured Mr. Nab of Dushanbe's preparations for the 9th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process. He also added that the forthcoming visit of His Excellency Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, to Tajikistan was an excellent opportunity to strengthen further and expand the two friendly relations between brotherly countries.
Referring to the amicable relations between Kabul and Dushanbe, Mr. Mehruddin also assured his country's support toward the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's position regarding the peace negotiations with the Taliban.
KABUL – A round of the Ambassadorial Meeting of the of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) co-chaired by the Deputy and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mirwais Nab and Ambassador of Tajikistan to Kabul Dr. Sharifi Sa'di, was held with the attendence of the ambassadors of the of the Participating Countries of the HoA-IP at the Foreign Ministry's Stoore Palace. The purpose of this Ambassadorial Meeting was to discuss the necessary preparations for the 9th Ministerial Conference of the HoA-IP to be convened in March this year.
At the outset of the meeting, Mr. Nab expressed his gratitude for the condemnation of the Participating Countries, in regards to the recent terrorist attacks on the Afghan people, calling the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process an important mechanism for strengthening regional cooperation and consensus as well as consolidating support for peace talks and stability in Afghanistan and the wider region.
During the meeting, ambassadors and representatives of the Participating Countries discussed and exchanged views on the arrangements of the 9th Ministerial Conference of the HoA-IP, scheduled for March 29-30, 2021, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
