The European Union’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Gilles Bertrand, held talks with the Taliban deputy foreign minister as he paid a new visit to Kabul, according to a statement released on Wednesday.
In his meeting with Mohammad Naeem, the discussions covered the development of political, economic and trade relations, as well as what the statement described as “sustainable cooperation,” the Taliban foreign ministry said in a statement.
Naeem emphasized the importance of relations based on mutual respect and said dialogue and diplomacy were the most effective ways to address challenges.
“The best and most effective way to resolve problems is through dialogue and diplomacy,” he said, adding that this approach was a priority for their administration.
The ministry said Mr. Bertrand also described diplomacy and dialogue as a reasonable path forward and expressed support for continued cooperation with Afghanistan.
The European Union has not publicly commented on the details of the visit.
The trip follows a recent visit by Bertrand to Pakistan, where he met with that country’s special envoy for Afghanistan.
It is his third visit to Afghanistan since his appointment as the EU’s special envoy. He previously traveled to Kabul late last year, when he met with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign minister.
