Afghanistan seeks international participation, urges inclusion in UN meetings

Stanekzai raised the issue during a meeting with the UN Special Representative for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva. The two officials also discussed regional coordination, combating drug trafficking, revitalizing private trade and banking sectors, and mine clearance activities.

Emphasizing the importance of collaboration despite differences of opinion, Stanekzai underscored the necessity to grant Afghanistan the right to partake in diverse international meetings, including those convened by the United Nations.

He stressed the need to keep humanitarian affairs separate from politics and urged that political variances should not impede cooperation in essential sectors like humanitarian aid, drug control, and mine clearance.

Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of UNAMA, shared insights into her recent trip to New York during the meeting. She highlighted ongoing efforts to secure global aid aimed at ensuring food security, combating narcotic drugs, providing treatment for drug addicts, and promoting alternative plants to narcotics.

The diplomatic exchange reflects Afghanistan's push for active international engagement and underscores the significance of cooperation on humanitarian and developmental fronts, despite the political complexities in the region. (ILKHA)