Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held talks with Gilles Bertrand, the European Union’s newly appointed Special Representative for Afghanistan, in a meeting focused on strengthening diplomatic and development cooperation.

According to officials, the discussions emphasized the importance of maintaining continuous engagement between Afghanistan and the European Union. Minister Muttaqi welcomed the EU’s ongoing diplomatic presence and expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the previous EU representative, stressing the need for proactive European support to accelerate Afghanistan’s development in key sectors.

Muttaqi urged the European Union to play a more active role in supporting national reconstruction, economic stability, and infrastructure projects, highlighting the challenges facing the country after years of conflict and sanctions.

For his part, Gilles Bertrand commended the achievements of the Islamic Emirate over the past four years, acknowledging improvements in governance and stability. He reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to continued engagement with Afghanistan and stressed the importance of expanding cooperation to attract substantial foreign investment.

Bertrand noted that increased collaboration between Kabul and Brussels could help create conditions for sustainable economic growth and long-term regional stability.

The meeting reflects ongoing efforts by both sides to maintain diplomatic dialogue and explore avenues for cooperation despite complex political and humanitarian challenges facing Afghanistan. (ILKHA)