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Doha, Qatar – Representatives from the European Union and the United States have met with Taliban members as a group trying to unlock funds to overcome the Afghan humanitarian crisis.
The Afghan delegation was led by acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Wednesday held the second day of talks with diplomats from 16 European countries in the capital of Qatar, Doha.
All participants promised to do all possible efforts for the overall welfare of the Afghan people, “read a statement issued by the Taliban, adding that the international community is ready to take” effective steps in the field of humanitarian aid “.
That statement even though it does not provide specific details about the steps to be taken by the international community.
Thomas Niklasson, EU special representative for Afghanistan, who also attended talks, said that the block remained committed to providing 500 million euros ($ 569 million) in assistance through the United Nations and Humanitarian Organizations.
The Taliban is still not recognized by any country and many senior officials are still under Western and UN sanctions. The country is also disconnected from international financial institutions, which have triggered the banking crisis.
The talks came after the armed group met with Western diplomats in the capital Norwegian Oslo where human rights issues and the need for humanitarian assistance was discussed.
Niklasson in a Twitter post added that the Taliban stated “commitment to opening elementary and secondary schools for boys and girls throughout the country no later than March”.
The government led by the Taliban was gripped with a humanitarian crisis that deteriorated with 97 percent of the population at risk of sinking below the poverty line, according to UNDP projection.
The group, which seized power in August last year by bringing down the government of the President of the Western Ashraf Ghani, also tried to melt billions of money from the West.
But Western countries and international financial institutions have linked their release by increasing the country’s human rights record, especially regarding women.
Last week, US President Joe Biden said that around $ 7 billion in Afghan reserves held in the US would be divided between funds to help Afghanistan and compensate for the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
It is not acceptable for the US to spend this money for humanitarian or compensation assistance,” Mottaqi said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Millions of dollars in the assistance promised by the West will be channeled through a special mechanism, which means funds will not go through the government department.
While the Taliban repeatedly emphasized exercising a softer rule compared to their previous duties from 1996 to 2001, women’s restrictions still apply.
