Norway to host Taliban delegation for Aid talks
New Delhi, Jan 21 (UNI) Norway will be hosting Taliban representatives for talks in Oslo from January 23 to January 25, a statement issued by Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday.
“A Taliban delegation will visit the Norwegian capital Oslo from January 23 to January 25 for meetings with Norwegian authorities, international community representatives and other Afghans from a range of fields within the civil society,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Norway’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anniken Huitfeldt clarified, “These meetings do not represent a legitimisation or recognition of the Taliban, but we must talk to the de facto authorities in the country. We cannot allow the political situation to lead to an even worse humanitarian disaster.”
“We are extremely concerned about the grave situation in Afghanistan, where millions of people are facing a full-blown humanitarian disaster. In order to be able to help the civilian population in Afghanistan, it is essential that both the international community and Afghans from various parts of society engage in dialogue with the Taliban,” said Huitfeldt.
The minister further clarified that Norway would be clear about its expectations from the Taliban
particularly on “education of girls and human rights such as women’s right to participate in society.”
According to Norway’s Foreign Ministry the Taliban delegation will meet “other Afghans” with backgrounds from a range of fields which include women leaders, journalists, and individuals working to safeguard human rights and address humanitarian, economic, social and political issues.
The Taliban delegation will meet representatives of the Norwegian authorities and officials from a number of allied countries in Oslo, read the statement by Norway’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further highlights the fact that Afghanistan is contending with drought, pandemic, economic collapse and the effects of years of conflict.
“Some 24 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity. Reports indicate that one million children could die of starvation. According to UN estimates, more than half of the population will be facing famine this winter, and 97 per cent of the population could fall below the poverty line this year,” the statement said.
Norway is continuing to pursue a dialogue with the Taliban in order to promote human rights and women’s participation in society, and to strengthen humanitarian and economic efforts in Afghanistan in support of the Afghan people, the Ministry further said.
Earlier this week, a Norwegian delegation visited Kabul for talks on the dire humanitarian situation in the country.
“Humanitarian assistance, while essential, is not enough. We must prevent a collapse of basic services such as health and education. We must support the livelihoods of families and communities. This could reduce the number of people needing humanitarian assistance,” Ms Huitfeldt said.
Norway has been in dialogue with the Taliban for many years.
Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said that a senior delegation led by acting Foreign Minister Amir Muttaqi will leave for the Norwegian capital on Saturday.
Meanwhile, there are reports of protests by Afghan citizens in Oslo ahead of the arrival of Taliban delegation.
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