DOHA, Qatar — Thomas West, the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan, met with Qatar’s state minister for foreign affairs on the sidelines of the “Global Security Forum” to discuss Afghanistan’s future.
West wrote on X that the “way ahead” for Afghanistan was the focus of their conversation. He also expressed gratitude for “Qatar’s active role in developing solutions and fostering common ground.”
“Met with Mohammad Al Khulaifi and H.E. Ambassador Faisal bin Abdullah Al Hanzab in Doha yesterday to discuss the way ahead on Afghanistan. Appreciate Qatar’s active role in convening, developing solutions, and building and tending to common ground,” West said.
The third round of the Doha meetings on Afghanistan, hosted by the United Nations with representatives from various countries, is scheduled for June 30.
The Taliban’s foreign minister has welcomed the upcoming meeting but has dismissed the appointment of a special UN envoy for Afghanistan, which is expected to be a significant topic at the session, as “unnecessary.”
Meanwhile, Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, visited Kabul and met with several Taliban officials to discuss the upcoming Doha meeting.
During a meeting with DiCarlo, Abdul Kabir, the Taliban’s deputy prime minister for political affairs, requested that the Taliban’s position be made clear at the session.
UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric recently stated at a press conference that the goal of the third Doha meeting is to “enhance international engagement with Afghanistan in a coherent and structured manner.”
