Any meeting without participation of IEA representatives is unproductive & even sometimes counterproductive: Suhail Shaheen
DOHA, May 01 (SABAH): Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) Permanent Representative-designate to United Nations, former Negotiations Team’s Member and Spokesman, Muhammad Suhail Shaheen while talking about the United Nation Doha Meeting on Afghanistan has said that any meeting without participation of IEA representatives – the main party to the issue- is unproductive and even sometimes counterproductive.
In a statement issued to media on Monday, Muhammad Suhail Shaheen said that it is IEA’s legitimate right to be allowed to express its position by participating in such meetings. How a decision taken at such meetings can be acceptable or implemented while we are not part of the process? It is discriminatory and unjustified. Issues can be solved only through pragmatic approach, not one-sided decisions and intimidating demeanour.
Meanwhile Muhammad Suhail Shaheen says he has already held meetings with Chinese and United Kingdom’s special envoys on Afghanistan on the sidelines of the UN Doha Meeting.
“Today, in Doha, my PO team and I met with Mr. Andrew McCoubrey, Director Afghanistan and Pakistan of UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. We discussed the current situation, upcoming UN conference and other topics of interests” Muhammad Suhail Shaheen said in a statement issued on twitter
“Today, I and my delegation had a constructive meeting with Dr. Yue Xiaoyong, China Special Envoy for Afghanistan and his delegation in Doha. We discussed the current situation, importance of engagement, regional connectivity and trade” Muhammad Suhail Shaheen said in a separate statement issued on twitter.
It is worth mentioning here that Chaired by the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, the meeting brings together major international and regional countries to discuss the ongoing situation in Afghanistan with a view towards constructive engagement.
Pakistani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar is attending the Meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan being held from 1st to 2nd May 2023 in Doha Qatar, being held under the auspices of the United Nations.