The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated Monday that China will host the third meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbors on March 30 and 31 in Tunxi, Anhui, under the name of “Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan Plus Afghanistan.”
Wang Wenbin, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, said in a press conference that foreign ministers or representatives from Russian, Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are expected to attend the meeting, which will be chaired by Wang Yi, Chinese foreign minister.
He said there will be a Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue which Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate, has been invited to attend.
“We hope to further understand the Afghan people’s difficulties and needs, convey neighboring countries’ concerns on the Afghan issue, and work on the Afghan side to build an open and inclusive political structure, follow moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies and earnestly combat terrorism,” said Wang Wenbin.
Wenbin add that his country expects the international community to give greater support to Afghanistan.
In the meantime, Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting foreign minister, has left for Beijing and will meet officials from neighboring countries.
“Important topics including political and economic issues will be discussed at the meeting. We hope the meeting can create opportunities for neighboring countries to take some serious steps for Afghanistan,” said Inamullah Samangani, deputy spokesman of Islamic Emirate.
Foreign ministers of Indonesia and Qatar will also be invited to join as special guests, according to Wang Wenbin.
Meanwhile, Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday that a US representative will be present at the meeting of foreign ministers of neighboring countries of Afghanistan.
Additionally, The United Nations along with governments of the United Kingdom, Germany, and Qatar will host an international pledging conference in support of the humanitarian response to Afghanistan on March 31.
Experts ask how these meetings might affect Afghanistan’s situation:
“It is a need for Afghanistan to be changed into a bridge in the region. From the point of effectiveness, the meeting will possibly begin with the investment of the Chinese into mines in Afghanistan,” said Ahmad Munib Rasa, political analyst.
Pakistan held the first meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan in September 2021 and the second round of the meetings was hosted by Tehran in October.