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Tag: NORWAY

  • Muttaqi-led Taliban delegation meets with Afghan civil society in Oslo

    Muttaqi-led Taliban delegation meets with Afghan civil society in Oslo

    The visit is the first of the Taliban delegation to Europe after it took power in Kabul last year and the meeting will be held from January 23 to 25…reports Asian Lite News

    An Afghanistan delegation, led by acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, has reportedly met with the Afghan civil society members on Sunday in Oslo, Norway.

    The delegation will first meet with the US envoys and the talks would focus on the release of the frozen assets, the removal of its members’ names from the blacklist, and the extension of relations between Kabul and Washington, according to Tolo News.

    Earlier, Afghanistan delegates landed in Norway’s capital Oslo on Saturday night.

    “In the first meeting, with the Americans, the release of the Afghan assets, the removal of the blacklist, and also the resumption and extension of bilateral ties will be discussed,” said Inamullah Samangani, deputy spokesman of the Taliban.

    The visit is the first of the Taliban delegation to Europe after it took power in Kabul last year and the meeting will be held from January 23 to 25, according to a statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway.

    Earlier, Afghan missions abroad which are run by diplomats of the former government in a joint statement praised Norway for convening the talks on Afghanistan but called for further pressure by the international community for the formation of an inclusive government as well as to ensure human rights in the country.

    “The force which came to power after the changes is not inclusive and it doesn’t reflect the wishes and intentions of the people,” said Zarifa Yaqobi, a member of the Mawj and Tahwal movement.

    However, the official invitation of the Taliban’s delegation to Norway faced diverse reactions.

    A movement named “Afghanistan Women’s Government in Exile” in a statement accused the Islamic Emirate of violating human rights and criticized the Norwegian government for inviting the Kabul delegation.

    Some Afghans living in Europe staged protests in Oslo over the talks as well in front of the Norwegian embassy in London, according to Tolo News. (ANI)

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  • Taliban’s visit triggers protests in Oslo

    Taliban’s visit triggers protests in Oslo

    The delegation arrived in Oslo on Saturday on an invitation by the Norwegian government…reports Asian Lite News

    A number of Afghans based in Norway protested against the visit of a high-ranking Taliban delegation led by acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Oslo, saying that they (Taliban) do not represent us.

    The demonstration was staged on Saturday to oppose the visit of the Taliban delegation and their meetings with Norwegian authorities and members of the International community, Khaama Press reported.

    The Afghan protesters said that the Taliban are on the blacklist for “terrorists” of the US and that they should not be negotiated within Norway.

    The delegation arrived in Oslo on Saturday on an invitation by the Norwegian government.

    They are scheduled to discuss important issues with Norwegian officials, envoys from the US and the European Union (EU), as well as some influential Afghan figures, Taliban deputy spokesman Inamullah Samangani had said on Friday.

    The Foreign Ministry in Oslo also confirmed that a high-level summit on Afghanistan with a focus on girl’s access to education and human rights, will be attended by the Taliban delegation.

    But the Ministry reiterated that “these meetings do not represent a legitimisation or recognition of the Taliban”.

    This is the second foreign trip in January by a Taliban delegation.

    Earlier this month, a delegation led by Muttaqi visited Iran, where he held talks with Ismail Khan, the former Governor of Herat province, and Ahmad Masoud, leader of Resistance Front.

    However the Resistance Front said that the negotiations didn’t reach a positive result.

    ALSO READ: ‘US-Taliban normalisation doesn’t seem easy’

  • Taliban delegation due in Norway for human rights talks

    Taliban delegation due in Norway for human rights talks

    The delegation will be led by acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, reports Asian Lite News

    A high-ranking delegation of the Taliban-led Afghan government will embark on a trip to Norway on Saturday where they will discuss important issues with Norwegian officials, envoys from the US and the European Union (EU), as well as some influential Afghan figures, a spokesman said here.

    Confirming the trip, Taliban deputy spokesman Inamullah Samangani said on Friday that the visit comes on an invitation by the Norwegian government, TOLO News reported.

    The delegation will be led by acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

    The Foreign Ministry in Oslo also confirmed that a high-level summit on Afghanistan with a focus on girl’s access to education and human rights, will be attended by the Taliban delegation.

    “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,” TOLO News quoted Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt as saying in the statement.

    “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 Afghan from various parts of society engage in dialogue with the Taliban.”

    This is the second foreign trip in January by a Taliban delegation.

    Earlier this month, a delegation led by Muttaqi visited Iran, where he held talks with Ismail Khan, the former Governor of Herat province, and Ahmad Masoud, leader of Resistance Front.

    However the Resistance Front said that the negotiations didn’t reach a positive result.

    ALSO READ: EU opens Embassy in Kabul

  • Norway spells out priorities for UNSC meet

    Norway spells out priorities for UNSC meet

    Norway has decided to elevate the quarterly open debate on the situation in the Middle East to a ministerial-level this month. The January 19 debate will be chaired by the Norwegian foreign minister…reports Asian Lite News

    Norway, which serves as president of the Security Council for the month of January, will prioritise the issue of women, peace and security in the council’s work, said the Norwegian UN ambassador.

    “Norway is committed to making women, peace and security a top priority during our presidency. We will prioritise the participation of women peacebuilders and human rights defenders,” said Mona Juul, Norway’s permanent representative to the UN on Tuesday.

    Women are often among the hardest affected by conflict, yet remain marginalised when it comes to political processes and peacemaking, she told a press briefing on January’s programme of the Security Council’s work, Xinhua news agency reported.

    Norway plans to hold a “signature event” on January 18 on addressing violence targeting women in peace and security processes, she said.

    “In the council, we always speak about full, equal and meaningful participation of women. That’s why we are extremely concerned about threat, intimidation and reprisals against women who engaged in peace processes, including those who briefed the council. Therefore, our first council signature event will be looking at (how) to identify concrete ways — on how we can address and prevent threat and reprisals against women.”

    The January 18 event, in the form of an open debate, will be chaired by the Norwegian foreign minister, she said.

    Norway also aims to have civil society briefers in all open meetings of the Security Council in January, said Juul. “The contribution of civil society to the council creates an important bridge between what is being discussed in the council and the impact felt on the ground.”

    A second “signature event” on January 25 is in the area of protection of civilians, and will concentrate on the threats to civilians in urban warfare, she said.

    Today’s wars are not fought in the field, but in cities, with a huge impact on civilians, in particular, on children. The open debate will be chaired by the Norwegian Prime Minister and the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross has been invited to brief. The aim of the meeting will be to discuss how civilians in the conflict in urban areas can be better protected and have their rights respected, said Juul.

    Norway has decided to elevate the quarterly open debate on the situation in the Middle East to a ministerial-level this month. The January 19 debate will be chaired by the Norwegian foreign minister.

    “In our view, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict deserves more attention… We think it’s critical to enhance the council’s focus and the need to find a political solution to this protracted conflict, and to make sure that we avoid further actions that undermine the prospect of a two-state solution,” she said.

    Apart from the meetings, Norway has also planned a Security Council retreat in the middle of the month known as the “mini-Oslo Forum,” she said.

    “We would like to invite all members of the council to an informal, closed discussion on how we can do better when it comes to preventive diplomacy and conflict resolution,” said Juul, noting that her country has a long tradition of engaging in peace and reconciliation efforts around the world.

    Among the topics to be discussed will be Afghanistan and Colombia. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also be invited to the retreat, she said.

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