Afghan acting foreign minister meets Qatari leadership in Doha to bolster bilateral ties

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Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, during an official visit to Doha aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation.

The high-level talks focused on strengthening diplomatic engagement, regional collaboration, and economic ties between the two nations, according to a statement by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the “close and brotherly” relationship between Qatar and Afghanistan and expressed optimism over Afghanistan’s growing role in regional affairs. He encouraged deeper private sector collaboration and expanding trade as a cornerstone of future relations.

Muttaqi, in turn, thanked Qatar for its ongoing support and highlighted Doha’s critical role in Afghanistan’s foreign policy. He praised Qatar’s efforts in mediating dialogue between the Afghan authorities and the international community, particularly its facilitation of peace talks and humanitarian support. The Afghan minister proposed new Qatari investments in Afghanistan’s development and commercial infrastructure and advocated for measures to boost bilateral trade.

Qatar has played a pivotal diplomatic role in Afghanistan’s modern history. It hosted the Taliban’s political office and facilitated the landmark peace deal with the United States in 2020. Since then, Doha has remained a key venue for international engagement with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities, including recent UN-led discussions on Afghanistan’s humanitarian and political future.

Despite strong political relations, trade remains modest. According to the United Nations COMTRADE database, Qatar imported approximately $1.17 million worth of goods from Afghanistan in 2023. Both sides have signaled a shared commitment to expanding the relationship beyond diplomacy to include economic development, signaling a long-term vision for regional stability and mutual prosperity.

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