KABUL (SW) – Afghanistan on Saturday expressed disapproval for the nature of "formal reception" Uzbekistan gave to Taliban's deputy chief Mullah Baradar earlier this week.
The foreign ministry said in a statement that Afghanistan has always welcomed international and regional cooperation, particularly that of the neighboring countries in the peace. “However, the formal reception of the Taliban representatives and the dynamics of the talks (in Tashkent earlier this week) do not demonstrate as facilitating peace talks between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Taliban representatives, by the Republic of Uzbekistan”, it said.
The MoFA called upon all countries, particularly Afghanistan’s neighbors, to respect the leadership and ownership of the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in the peace process.
Taliban said in a statement that Mullah Baradar urged Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdul Aziz Kemalov to complete the economic and development projects which have been launched by Uzbekistan such as electricity for northern Afghanistan and construction of railway to the city of Mazar-e-Sharif to expand trade ties between both countries.
Meanwhile, the top U.S. negotiator, Zalmay Khalilzad, on Friday visited Germany in connection with the Afghan peace process.
ENDS
