Current Situation to Persist, Says Former Iranian Diplomat Regarding Doha Meeting

Mohammad Reza Bahrami, former Iranian envoy in Kabul, stated that given the diverse positions of various parties regarding Afghanistan in the forthcoming Doha meeting, the "most probable" option is the continuation of the current situation.

The Doha meeting is scheduled for February 18-19 and will be hosted by the Secretary General of the United Nations.

In an article on the "Khabar Online" website, Bahrami writing about the upcoming meeting in Doha, stated that the existing conditions in Afghanistan will persist. He emphasised that the country must align its course with other significant current events and crises.

Bahrami has said that the primary purpose of the Doha meeting is the completion and finalisation of the third and fourth components of the Doha agreement between the US and the Taliban. These components prioritise the initiation of intra-Afghan dialogue and the consensus on the future political roadmap for Afghanistan.

He indicated that, as per the report from Feridun Sinirlioglu, the UN special coordinator, the agenda for the upcoming Doha meeting encompasses four fundamental issues. These include the designation of a special representative of the United Nations, the establishment of a contact group involving diverse countries, the facilitation of communication between the Taliban and their opposition groups, and the "arrangement of incentives to be provided to the Taliban if they engage in this process”.

Nevertheless, the former Iranian diplomat stated that the appointment of a special representative would be futile without the companionship of the Taliban. He noted that, as of now, Kandahar has not granted approval for this meeting.

Bahrami is referring to the remarks of the Taliban's foreign minister, who expressed reservations, stating that he does not deem the appointment of a new UN representative for Afghanistan as "appropriate" given the current situation and the existence of UNAMA.

During the upcoming UN meeting in Doha, decisions will be reached regarding the proposals outlined in the UN special coordinator's report on Afghanistan affairs.

This meeting will bring together special representatives for Afghanistan from various countries.