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China’s envoy meets with EU officials to discuss Afghanistan
Yue said both sides stressed the need for “continuous engagement” and called for increased international attention to Afghanistan’s rebuilding efforts
China’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, met with European Union officials this week to discuss the evolving situation in Afghanistan, highlighting efforts for the country’s reconstruction amid ongoing political, economic, and humanitarian crises.
Yue met with Tomas Niklasson, the EU’s special envoy for Afghanistan, and the bloc’s Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific.
Following the meeting, Yue posted on X, that both sides stressed the need for “continuous engagement” and called for increased international attention to Afghanistan’s rebuilding efforts.
Beijing has emerged as a critical partner of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan over the past three years and China’s growing influence in Afghanistan has the potential to foster increased cooperation, promote regional integration, and effectively tackle various obstacles, including security challenges.
Since the rise of the Islamic Emirate, China has actively sought engagement with Afghanistan, demonstrating its commitment to supporting the country’s reconstruction and development, The Diplomat reported recently, adding that Chinese enterprises have displayed a keen interest in investing in Afghanistan.
Last week however, China’s Premier Li Qiang called on the Islamic Emirate to adopt “moderate policies” and form an inclusive government.
According to a joint statement issued by Li and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the two officials also emphasized the need to prevent the use of Afghanistan’s soil against its neighbors and called for an effective and measurable fight against terrorism in Afghanistan.
At the time, Li had been in Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting.
Li and Sharif also called for the strengthening of anti-terrorism cooperation on a bilateral and multilateral level and called on the Islamic Emirate government to take concrete and verifiable measures to eliminate terrorist groups active in this country.
The two leaders also emphasized the importance of strengthening communication and coordination regarding the situation in Afghanistan and called for “coordinated efforts of the international community to encourage the Islamic Emirate to establish an inclusive political framework and implement moderate policies.”
The two countries agreed to play a constructive role in supporting the sustainable development of Afghanistan and its integration into the international community.
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Afghanistan now has unified central government: IEA defense minister
Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, the Minister of Defense of the Islamic Emirate, says that Afghanistan currently has a unified central government, and that no groups engaging in destructive activities are present in the country. He added that they will not allow anyone to undermine the country’s security.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defense, Mujahid made these remarks at a graduation ceremony for commandos of the Special Forces Division. The ceremony was attended by Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Minister of Interior; several cabinet ministers; foreign ambassadors and military attachés; special representatives; and a number of officials and military personnel.
Addressing the commandos, Yaqoob Mujahid said: “In the service you perform, make the pleasure of Almighty Allah your sole intention, because Almighty Allah will reward you for such an intention in this world and the hereafter. There is now a unified central government in the country, and no groups engaging in destructive activities are present. We will also not allow anyone to undermine security.”
He also added: “I assure our people that these forces will defend the lives, property, and territory of their beloved country with full courage and wisdom. I tell all foreign countries that Afghanistan is now secure, and there is no enemy in this country, whether from within or outside, that poses a threat to others.”
At the ceremony, Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani also said: “For half a century, Afghanistan did not have an independent army. However, now, it has an organized army and other security forces. You are not a ceremonial army, nor do you operate to serve the interests of others; rather, you are an organized and independent army. Although we may be materially weak, we are stronger than others in terms of morale and spirituality. We must maintain high morale, avoid acting emotionally in military affairs, and respond to the enemy at the appropriate time. We are not a threat to anyone; rather, we are defenders of our own land.”
It is worth noting that 1,000 young commandos of the Special Forces Division of the Ministry of Defense graduated from the eighth training course after completing six months of professional, ideological, and commando training.
During the ceremony, the graduating commandos, in cooperation with the Air Force, demonstrated coordinated practical and military exercises using various types of unmanned aircraft.
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Baradar approves action plan for establishing special economic zones
The action plan for establishing special economic zones across the country was approved on Wednesday by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.
According to a decree issued by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate, these special economic zones will be established in the provinces of Kabul, Balkh, Nangarhar, Kandahar, Herat, Paktia, and Kunduz.
Under the plan, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in cooperation with other relevant ministries and government agencies, will identify the land required for these zones, determine the necessary sectoral activities and services, and create the conditions needed to attract investment.
The establishment of these special economic zones is aimed at attracting new investments, achieving a relative balance between exports and imports, and expanding production activities in a suitable environment, paving the way for a new phase of economic development in the country.
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Russian deputy prime minister to visit Kabul with high-level economic delegation
The visit aims to strengthen economic and trade relations between Afghanistan and Russia, explore investment opportunities and discuss potential joint economic projects.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk is scheduled to visit Kabul on Thursday, leading a high-level economic delegation, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.
According to a statement by the ministry, the visit aims to strengthen economic and trade relations between Afghanistan and Russia, explore investment opportunities and discuss potential joint economic projects.
The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for officials from both countries to discuss ways of expanding bilateral economic cooperation and identifying new areas for trade and investment.
The ministry did not provide further details about the delegation’s programme or the specific projects expected to be discussed during the visit.
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