Iranian FM stresses role of inclusive government, sustainable security in Afghanistan
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian stressed that establishment of an inclusive government, representing all ethnical groups, in Afghanistan as the sole way to achieve sustainable security and stability in the country.
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Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks while addressing the 17th Extraordinary Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Sunday.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the sustainable security and political and social stability in Afghanistan to be in line with the collective interests of the entire region,” Iran’s top diplomat said.
Amir-Abdollahian emphasized, “We believe that sustainable security, and political and social stability in Afghanistan are possible only through real collective participation and an inclusive and effective government in which all ethnicities and religions play a role.”
He warned that any postponement of the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan will give the war-torn people's enemies the "chance to activate an extensive network of social criminals through spreading the terrorism of Daesh, creating economic hardships, and critical conditions in livelihood, healthcare and the basic needs of life."
"National reconciliation, national cohesion and inclusive participation in government and governance, alongside the good faith and benevolent contribution of the neighboring countries, as well as regional and Muslim states in the fight against terrorism, insecurity and instability, in addition to providing humanitarian assistance are the most urgent requirements for supporting Afghan people and guaranteeing a bright future for them," Iran's top diplomat emphasized.
In another part of his speech, Iran's foreign minister offered four proposals to the meeting's participants as essential components of a future plan to support the people of Afghanistan.
"First, Muslim states should encourage the ruling establishment in Afghanistan and all parties to form an inclusive government," Iran's top diplomat said.
Pointing to the fact that the people of Afghanistan are in dire need of urgent humanitarian assistance, Amir-Abdollahian's second proposal was the formation of a "financial fund among the Muslim states" to realize this objective.
As Iran's third proposal, he said it is necessary to release Afghanistan’s assets in foreign banks.
"Fourth, undoubtedly, the UN member states and its Secretary General can play a leading role in contributing to the formation of an inclusive government and assisting the people of Afghanistan and preventing a new humanitarian catastrophe," the Iranian foreign minister said.
Amir-Abdollahian expressed hope that "an inclusive government would soon be formed in Afghanistan with the participation of all Afghan ethnic groups so that its representative will be able to attend the next OIC conference and Afghanistan’s seat won’t be vacant."
Iran's foreign minster stated that since the beginning of the recent developments in the war-ravaged Afghanistan, "the Islamic Republic of Iran has made efforts to keep its borders open and even facilitate human and commercial movements."
"Moreover, during the past one hundred days, Iran has delivered more than 13 humanitarian aid consignments to various cities of Afghanistan and has provided enormous support to the government and people of Afghanistan to combat Covid-19 pandemic including vaccination of the Afghan nationals in Iran," Amir-Abdollahian added.
Criticizing the international community's indifference toward the current situation of Afghan migrants in neighboring countries, including Iran, Amir-Abdollahian said, "During the past 40 years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been hosting millions of Afghan refugees and immigrants" who "are the product of US aggression and occupation."
"This is while Iran has not received any international assistance for this particular purpose so far. The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue supporting and delivering humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan out of Islamic and humanitarian motivations," Iran's top diplomat said.
Envoys from 57 Muslim nations are attending at the OIC summit aimed at relieving the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, while testing diplomatic ties with its new Taliban rulers.
The meeting is the biggest major conference on Afghanistan since August, when the government and military collapsed in the face of the Taliban’s swift advances on the ground, which many attribute to a hasty withdrawal of US-led occupation forces from the country.
After the Taliban's lightning return to power, billions of dollars in aid and assets were frozen by the international community, and the nation of 38 million now faces a bitter winter.
The two-day meeting in Islamabad also includes representatives from the United Nations and international financial institutions, as well as from the United States, the European Union and Japan.
The Iranian foreign minister on Sunday raised concerns about the rise of terrorism in Afghanistan and the outflow of refugees toward the Iranian border in recent months, saying, “We believe that the solution to the Afghan issue lies in the formation of an inclusive government with the participation of all ethnicities.”
