Blinken calls Qatari Foreign Minister to discuss Afghan situation

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Sunday with his Qatari counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani to discuss the latest developments in Afghanistan.

According to a press release issued by the State Department’s spokesman Ned Price, Blinken commended Qatar for its continued work to assist with the safe transit from Afghanistan of U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, and Afghans at risk. 

“Secretary Blinken and the Foreign Minister also reviewed the latest developments regarding the situation in Afghanistan and discussed other bilateral and regional issues, including Iran,” said Price.

Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani’s office in turn said they had reviewed bilateral cooperation relations between the two countries, the latest developments in Afghanistan, and issues of common interest.

Blinken is currently on a foreign trip that includes the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Hawaii. This weekend he attended the G7  Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting in Liverpool.

The G7 meeting agenda included a wide range of issues including relations with Russia and China, current developments in Ukraine, Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran and on the African continent.

At the same time, the meeting gave ministers the opportunity to focus on fundamental issues such as global health, technology, infrastructure and gender equality.