Don’t Just Look At Security Issues, Expand Trade, Says Taliban’s Foreign Minister

During a meeting with foreign ambassadors in Kabul, Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban's foreign minister called on neighbouring countries and the region not to look at Afghanistan solely from a security perspective.

Muttaqi stressed that countries should work on expanding economic cooperation with the Taliban instead of focusing on security issues.
The Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted ambassadors and representatives of foreign countries and organisations in Kabul on Monday.

Muttaqi stated at the meeting, "A bilateral or multilateral view of issues from a security perspective alone is not the solution, and such an attitude destroys common economic opportunities."

Muttaqi is referring to the concerns that the countries of the region have about militant and terrorist groups on Afghan soil. These groups are mainly a threat to Central Asian countries, China and Pakistan. The Taliban has ignored the request of these countries to expel terrorist groups from Afghan territory.

Pakistan claims that Afghan soil is being used against the country's security and stability. Pakistani officials have repeatedly called on the Taliban to stop attacks by the TTP and hand over the group's leaders to Islamabad.

The Taliban's foreign minister said that "realistic, logical and practical steps must be taken to ensure security and stability," without elaborating on these steps.

Muttaqi called on the countries of the region to work together to secure legitimate interests, put aside minor issues, and focus on expanding economic cooperation.

In part of his speech, he said that the Taliban government is working on opening embassies outside the region and providing transparent and standard consular services to the people.

He also stressed that the Taliban prioritises relations with Arab countries.

Recently, the Taliban's relations with the United Arab Emirates have expanded.