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No decision taken on troops withdrawal after 2-day NATO summit

Published

5 years ago

February 18, 2021

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday evening that no decision on troops withdrawal has yet been made by the Alliance and its partner nations.

Addressing a virtual press conference after a two day NATO Defense Ministers meeting, Stoltenberg said the Alliance has not yet made the decision because it feels there is still a chance for peace in Afghanistan.

He said however that the decision itself – on whether to withdraw all troops by May 1 as per the US-Taliban deal signed last year – or whether to stay in the country was a very difficult one.

He said the Alliance faces a difficult dilemma over Afghanistan adding that if NATO stays after May 1 they risk attacks on their troops but if they leave they risk the gains made over the past 20 years.

Stoltenberg again reiterated that the withdrawal of all troops was conditions based and in reference to the Taliban’s planned Spring Offensive, Stoltenberg said the Alliance was hoping for a significant decrease in violence opposed to an increase as feared by many in Afghanistan.

NATO’s chief did however point out that current peace talks are “fragile” and that currently no progress is being made.

Despite this he said NATO believes “there is still time to reach a political agreement before the deadline of 1st of May.”

Stoltenberg said the peace process needs to be reenergized and that the Taliban needs to negotiate in good faith, violence levels need to be reduced and Taliban must cut all ties with terrorist groups.

He also stated NATO is closely monitoring the situation on the ground and there is an ongoing assessment and monitoring of the situation. He says based on this a decision will be made by the Alliance.

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Afghanistan expresses condolences over deadly gas facility blast in Qatar

At least thirteen ‌people were killed and 66 people ⁠injured after an explosion at Qatar’s core LNG processing site ‌of ⁠Ras Laffan on Sunday, Energy ⁠Minister Saad al-Kaab said ⁠on Monday.

Published

15 minutes ago

June 23, 2026

Ariana News

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday expressed its deep sorrow and condolences following an explosion at Qatar’s core LNG processing site ‌of ⁠Ras Laffan, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries.

In a statement, the ministry conveyed its sympathy to the government and people of Qatar, as well as to the families of the victims affected by the tragedy.

The ministry also wished the injured a swift and full recovery, prayed for mercy and forgiveness for those who lost their lives, and extended its heartfelt condolences to their families, asking for patience and strength for them during this difficult time.

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Qatar embassy holds roundtable on Afghanistan’s relations with international community

Published

1 hour ago

June 23, 2026

Ariana News

The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Kabul held a roundtable discussion on Afghanistan’s relations with the international community, bringing together representatives from the United Nations and Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting was attended by Georgette Gagnon, Acting Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Political Affairs, as well as Scott Smith, Head of UNAMA’s Political Affairs Division.

The Afghan side was represented by Zakir Jalaly, Head of the Second Political Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Abdul Hai Qanit, Director of the Strategic Studies Center at the ministry.

According to a statement issued by the Qatari Embassy, discussions focused on the future of Afghanistan’s relations with the international community and explored ways to support and strengthen those ties.

The roundtable reflects ongoing diplomatic efforts to encourage dialogue and engagement on Afghanistan’s international relations amid evolving regional and global dynamics.

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Belgium issues visas to IEA delegation for EU meeting

Published

2 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Ariana News

Belgium said on Monday it had issued five visas to an Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) delegation to attend an EU meeting on migration in Brussels, in what would be the first time the EU has hosted the IEA since it returned to power ‌in Afghanistan five years ago.

The visas are restricted in both geographical scope and duration, allowing travel only to Belgium and for a single day, a Belgian foreign ministry spokesperson said, adding that the date of the visit would not be disclosed for security reasons.

Two European officials said the delegation had been granted one-day visas valid only on Tuesday, June 23, Reuters reported.

The Commission last month invited IEA officials to Brussels to discuss deportations of Afghan migrants.

The Commission said the meeting is technical and does not constitute recognition of IEA rule.

“Member States are looking into ways to return persons who have committed serious crimes and who are possibly a security threat. So this is the initiative that the Commission is now following up on,” Commission spokesman Markus Lammert told the EU’s daily press briefing on Monday.

According to a letter seen by Reuters and addressed to Abdul Qaher Balkhi, an Afghan foreign ministry spokesman, it will focus on “the return and readmission of Afghan nationals without a right to stay in the European Union”.