The participants of the fourth meeting of the Moscow format on Afghanistan called for the creation of an inclusive Afghan government and the early unfreezing of assets to overcome the socioeconomic crisis in this country. It is to be noted that both of these topics are not novel. The Afghan government’s inclusiveness, as understood by regional actors and players, became the must-stress point at all international platforms to discuss Afghan issues.
Media reports say special envoys and senior officials of Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan gathered in Moscow on November 16. Representatives of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Turkiye also attended the meeting as guests.
During the meeting, the parties reportedly discussed the current affairs in Afghanistan, the security situation and prospects for economic development in this country and the neighborhood region. They agreed to continue coordinating regional efforts to promote inter-Afghan national reconciliation, strengthen security and stability in the region under the auspices of the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan and other effective mechanisms.
“The general tone of all the remarks was identical and almost 100% the same. We all see the situation in Afghanistan the same way, and we all unequivocally support the early formation of an ethno-politically inclusive government in this country,” Zamir Kabulov, Special Representative of the President of Russia for Afghanistan, told TASS in an interview.
According to Kabulov, the talks were also important in order to show the Afghan authorities that friendly neighboring countries are ready to cooperate with them, but call for the Taliban to take into account their approaches.
Meanwhile, the Taliban delegates were not invited to Moscow, unlike last year’s gathering.
Afghanistan International says Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Special Representative of the President of Iran for Afghanistan, spoke about the possibility of holding a new meeting at the level of foreign ministers of neighboring countries with Afghanistan, as well as Russia.
“We support the fourth meeting among the countries neighboring Afghanistan that has taken place in Tashkent, and we support regional consultations. Nonetheless, Iran is ready to host an additional meeting of foreign ministers in the Afghanistan plus Russia format in Tehran as soon as possible,” Qomi said at a meeting of the Moscow format.
He called for an inclusive government in Afghanistan, according to Afghanistan International.
Qomi said that such a government will facilitate Afghanistan with a political position and recognition in the international community.
He also announced that Iran will soon hold an international meeting regarding Afghanistan. According to him, the upcoming meeting will be at the foreign-ministerial level.
Qomi also warned that time is running out, and if the world can’t manage the situation in Afghanistan, it will get worse.
In his opinion, the countries of the region should cooperate more actively with the Afghan authorities in an effort to resolve economic, political and other issues in the country through regular consultations with Kabul.
