United States:First meeting with Taliban since troop withdrawal “open and professional”
The US State Department said that the talks focused on, among other things, “security and terrorism issues” and “compliance with human rights”.
The first personal meeting between high-ranking representatives of the United States and the Taliban since the radical Islamic group came to power in Afghanistan was “open and professional”, according to the USA. During the talks in Doha, the US delegation focused on security and terrorism issues, the safe exit of US citizens, other foreign nationals and Afghans, and compliance with human rights, including the meaningful participation of women and girls in all aspects of Afghan society, it said in a statement by the US State Department on Sunday. However, the US side reiterated that the Taliban would be judged on their actions, not just on their words. According to the ministry, both sides also discussed the provision of comprehensive humanitarian aid.
The US left Afghanistan in August after two decades under an agreement with the Islamists. The country is facing a supply and economic crisis. In addition, the authority of the Taliban was questioned by militia militia “Islamic State”, which sparked fears that the country could slide into civil war again. More than 40 people were killed on Friday after an alleged Islamic State suicide bomber attacked a mosque in the northern city of Kunduz.
© SZ / Reuters / Bloomberg / Pwe