Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has stated that regional meetings cannot be considered complete or fully effective without the presence of Afghanistan.
Kabul 24: In an interview with TOLO News, Mujahid emphasized that such regional gatherings can have positive impacts on strengthening ties between countries in the region, paving the way for expanded economic cooperation and greater diplomatic trust.
He stressed that Afghanistan must participate in all regional meetings so that it can represent the Afghan people and contribute to programs and plans designed for the future of the region.
Mujahid said: “We want to participate in these meetings and expect that the directions set in these gatherings also take Afghanistan’s position into account, as this will increase the benefit and effectiveness of the meetings.”Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy of the Islamic Emirate declared that developments in Afghanistan are directly linked to the security and stability of the region.
Therefore, discussions on regional issues without Afghanistan’s involvement cannot yield complete and sustainable results.Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy, said: “We are living in the era of globalization, and regional stability is tied to Afghanistan.
There is mutual interdependence between Afghanistan and neighboring countries. Hence, a representative of the Islamic Emirate must be present in all such meetings so that Afghanistan’s views can be conveyed to regional countries, while Afghanistan also stays informed about regional developments.”Political analysts have also highlighted the importance of Afghanistan’s participation in regional forums.Dawoud Shiraz, a political observer, described the holding of meetings without inviting Afghanistan as “unfair,” saying: “Meetings are organized but Afghanistan is not invited.
This is unjust because if there are concerns, they should be addressed through dialogue and direct participation in such forums.”Samiullah Ahmadzai, another political analyst, added: “Any meeting held without the participation of the Islamic Emirate cannot produce desirable outcomes, as many regional issues are directly connected to Afghanistan and must be examined with its involvement.”These remarks come as Russia’s TASS news agency previously reported that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) plan to hold a meeting by the end of this year on Central Asian security and the situation in Afghanistan.
Experts believe that Afghanistan’s active presence in these meetings not only adds legitimacy to regional decisions but also creates opportunities for practical cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism, combating drug trafficking, trade, and regional connectivity. Without Afghanistan’s participation, any agreements or plans concerning regional issues may face practical challenges and lack long-term sustainability.
In conclusion, Afghan officials and analysts maintain that Afghanistan, located at the heart of Central Asia, cannot be sidelined from regional equations. Its active engagement in such forums can contribute to long-term regional stability and deliver shared benefits for all parties involved.
