The Taliban government officially announced on Sunday that it would send a delegation to the upcoming meeting in Doha on the situation in Afghanistan.
Taliban chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told TOLOnews that the group believes their participation in the Qatar talks will benefit Afghanistan in terms of humanitarian aid and investment.
Meanwhile, Taliban Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi clarified that the Taliban has agreed in principle to participate in the upcoming meeting in Doha after reviewing the agenda and list of participants provided by the UN during shared the discussions of the past two months.
However, Balkhi stated that their participation is conditional. If there are any changes in the agenda or attendees, the Taliban will reconsider their decision and inform all parties involved, he added.
The UN-organized meeting will take place on June 30 and July 1, aiming to increase international engagement with the country as it faces a series of crises.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have rejected calls to form an inclusive government and guarantee women’s rights to education and work.
As a result, no country has recognized his government. The country’s bank reserves have been frozen in the West, and senior Taliban leaders are on US wanted lists.
But the UN Security Council eased travel restrictions on key Taliban leaders so they could perform the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. In addition, the European Union announced a 150 million euro humanitarian aid package to the country last week.
The Taliban have sought greater cooperation with the UN, but have also rejected the world body’s initiatives.
In December, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution asking the UN Secretary General to appoint a special envoy to Afghanistan. The Taliban have consistently opposed having such a figure for the country.
In February, the Taliban refused to attend a similar UN meeting in Doha because Afghan activists had been invited.
