Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed concerns about the diminished credibility of some Afghan diplomatic missions in European countries, attributing this to a lack of engagement with the government in Kabul.
In a recent statement, Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, forecasted a forthcoming transformation in the country’s diplomatic landscape. Speaking after attending the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Cameroon, Muttaqi emphasized the positive developments expected in Afghanistan’s international relations.
Muttaqi made these remarks during a meeting with diplomats at the Islamic Emirate’s Consulate in Istanbul, following his visit to Türkiye. He highlighted several recent diplomatic successes, noting that the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan have all accepted Afghan representatives, with hopes for further advancements in the near future.
Despite these gains, Muttaqi expressed concerns about the diminished credibility of some Afghan diplomatic missions in European countries, attributing this to a lack of engagement with the central government in Kabul.
In his address, Muttaqi also underscored the interim government’s achievements in maintaining control over the country and combating terrorism. He cited the ban on poppy cultivation and narcotics as significant accomplishments. He urged the consulate staff in Istanbul to enhance their services to the Afghan community, emphasizing the importance of respect and support for Afghan expatriates and migrants.
Propaganda war
Earlier, during the the 50th session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Muttaqi had urged Islamic nations to lift sanctions on the Islamic Emirate and bolster their diplomatic ties with Afghanistan.
Muttaqi stated that Afghanistan has become the target of a propaganda war and that reports about the country are being published in a biased and one-sided manner.
In Cameroon, Muttaqi spoke about the achievements of the Islamic Emirate over the past three years and added that despite the interim government’s fight against terrorism and narcotics, economic sanctions have still been imposed on Afghanistan.
According to Muttaqi, the right of the Islamic Emirate to be recognized has also been unjustly denied.
He further mentioned that while the Islamic Emirate has been combating terrorism and narcotics within the country, economic sanctions have still been imposed on the interim government, and the recognition of the Islamic Emirate has been unjustly withheld.
Muttaqi stated: “The right to recognition has been unfairly taken away from the Islamic Emirate, and its undeniable right to representation in specialized international organizations has also been denied. Additionally, Afghanistan has become the target of an organized propaganda war and biased, prejudiced reports.”
He called on the member countries of the OIC to strive towards lifting the sanctions imposed on the Islamic Emirate. He also emphasized the need to establish relations based on mutual bilateral interests with the member states of the OIC.
Muttaqi added: “Our primary request is that all countries should make serious efforts to release Afghanistan’s central bank assets and to lift the travel restrictions on officials of the Islamic Emirate.”
