Taliban said that the United Arab Emirates is seeking to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with their administration, following a visit by Saif Mohammed Al Ketbi, the U.A.E.’s special envoy for Afghanistan.
According to a statement from the Taliban-run presidential palace in Kabul, Al Ketbi met with Abdul Salam Hanafi, the deputy chief minister for administrative affairs, and expressed his government’s interest in “expanding and strengthening relations” with the Taliban administration.
Footage or photographs of the meeting have not been made public.
The statement also said that Al Ketbi discussed trade cooperation and investment opportunities, and voiced the U.A.E.’s willingness to assist Afghan migrants who are being deported from neighboring countries.
Hanafi reportedly welcomed the U.A.E.’s engagement and expressed hope that bilateral relations would grow across multiple sectors.
As of Friday, the U.A.E.’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not issued any public comment on the meeting.
