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Talks teams in Doha agree to continue negotiations
While a ceasefire is still elusive, two days of talks in Doha, Qatar, between the Afghan government and Taliban delegations wrapped up on a somewhat positive note after both sides agreed to continue negotiations.
Delegates from both sides met late Sunday night - again behind closed doors.
Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR), who headed the Afghan Republic’s team assured people that government is seriously committed to working for peace in the country and that it will continue talks in the coming weeks.
“We concluded the two days of intensive talks with the Taliban in Doha. We exchanged views on core issues concerning the two parties. We listened to each other’s point of views, interpretations & the ways forward to end the conflict through a comprehensive political settlement,” Abdullah tweeted.
“In the joint statement issued at the conclusion of the talks, we agreed to continue the talks, seek a political settlement to the current crisis, avoid civilian casualties, facilitate humanitarian assistance & medical supplies to tackle Covid-19 pandemic.
“During the talks we reiterated the republic's commitment to a just & durable peace, an end to violence & resolving the current crisis through a negotiated political settlement.
“We thank all our partners, especially the State of Qatar for hosting & supporting the peace talks,” he said.
The Taliban’s spokesman Mohammad Naeem also tweeted a statement to this effect.
While it was hoped that a temporary ceasefire between the Taliban and the government would emerge from this round of talks, the two sides appear to not have discussed the issue of an Eid ul-Adha ceasefire.
The meetings were closed to the media and except for the delegations from the Afghan Republic and the Taliban, the only other participant was the Qatari special envoy.
The meetings come at a critical juncture in Afghanistan’s history. With the withdrawal process of foreign troops from the country almost complete, the Taliban has ramped up attacks across the country and seized dozens of districts.
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We want firm and close ties with Afghanistan: Maldives ambassador
The High Commissioner of Maldives to Pakistan Mohamed Thoha in a meeting on Friday with Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb, acting ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Islamabad, said that his country wants firm and close relations with Afghanistan, Afghan embassy said in a statement.
At the meeting, bilateral relations between the two “brotherly” and Muslim countries, trade relations between Maldives and Central Asian Countries through Afghanistan and related issues were discussed.
Ahmad Shakeeb stated that Afghanistan seeks constructive relations with all countries and is striving through its economy-focused policies, to transform Afghanistan into a regional connectivity hub.
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DAB plans to set up electronic payments in Afghanistan
Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) officials say they first plan to set up electronic payments in large stores and oil stations in Kabul city and then in other big cities of the country.
DAB officials stated this system of payment can prevent the physical transaction of money.
They added that with electronic payments money circulation is prevented and the value of the afghani currency increases.
“Our effort is to have these machines in stores and oil stations in the first stage so that citizens can pay their transactions electronically,” said Haseebullah Noori, DAB spokesman.
Meanwhile, some industrialists said that when electronic payments become common, this will also increase business and on the other hand, services will be accelerated.
“This system has many benefits. One is that physical money is not used and the second is that it creates a facility for people. Thirdly, these funds are kept and consolidated in the country's banks, and the banks can invest in Afghanistan,” said Abdul Jabbar Safi, director of the Association of Industrialists.
DAB stated it will expand electronic payments first in the capital and then in big cities. Currently, the majority of transactions within the country are done with physical money.
However, this is not the case in other countries and all financial transactions are done through banks and electronic payments.
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Russian FM awards head of Afghan Business Center with Order of Honor
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has awarded Mohammad Nadir Shah Juma Khan, Chairman of the Afghan Business Center Council, the Order of Honor for his significant contributions to fostering friendship between the peoples of Russia and Afghanistan, according to a statement released by Russia’s Foreign Ministry.
"On October 30, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov met with Mohammad Nadir Shah Juma Khan, Chairman of the Afghan Business Center for Cultural and National Initiative Partnerships," stated the ministry. During the ceremony, Lavrov presented him with the Order of Honor in recognition of his outstanding personal efforts in promoting friendship and cooperation between the Russian and Afghan peoples.
This honor was conferred by a decree from Russian President Vladimir Putin, published earlier.
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