Foreign ministers from Iran, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Russia are expected to hold talk in Tehran next week to hold talks in Tehran to continue discussions that the countries had during a virtual meeting held in early September.
Tehran will host a meeting of Afghanistan’s neighbors plus Russia on October 27.
Recall, Iranian media outlets had reported earlier that Iran welcomes a suggestion by Shah Mahmoud Qureshi, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, on holding a session of foreign ministers of neighboring states to Afghanistan, expressing readiness to hold such a meeting in Tehran,
IRNA reported on August 27 that a very important meeting was held in the first day of taking office by Hossein Amirabdollahian as new foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Assistant to Minister and Director General of West Asia at Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rasoul Mousavi was cited as saying that the meeting between the foreign ministers of Pakistan and Iran is a roadmap for the future of relationship between the two countries in all bilateral and regional collaborations. The two reportedly discussed the development of mutual ties as well as the current situation in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Saeed Khatibzadeh, a spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said on October 18 that the meeting will continue discussions that the countries had during a virtual meeting held in early September.
“The six countries will be focused on how they can help form an inclusive government in Afghanistan with the presence of all ethnic groups, and how they can help shape a future of peace and security in Afghanistan,” said Khatibzadeh, according to Al Jazeera.
Since the Taliban took control of Kabul in mid-August, there has been a debate in Iran on whether the group has changed its ways since it was in power more than 20 years ago.
But Iran’s official position is that it wants an inclusive government and stability in its eastern neighboring state, something Tehran considers vital for its national security.
The calls have reportedly continued after the Taliban formed an administration that does not include ethnic and religious groups or women.
Earlier this year, Tehran hosted intra-Afghan talks that included the Taliban before the armed group took control of Afghanistan.
Iran has, however, refused to participate in any talks hosted or participated by the United States, which it says was a main cause of instability and violence in the country.
