Afghanistan, Qatar, US hold trilateral meeting in Turkey's Antalya
Acting Foreign Minister of the interim Taliban government Amir Khan Muttaq (C) attends the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Antalya, Turkey, March 3, 2022. (AA Photo)


Senior officials from Afghanistan, Qatar and the United States held a trilateral meeting Friday on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) that kicked off in Turkey.

Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani and Tom West, U.S. special representative for Afghanistan, according to an Afghan Foreign Ministry statement.

Muttaqi reiterated the Taliban’s call for "recognition of the new government and release of property as the legitimate right of Afghans," emphasizing the Taliban government’s efforts to "promote political relations and the economy," the statement said.

The Taliban official said the situation in Afghanistan was "more conducive to positive and diplomatic engagement with the international community than ever before."

The U.S. envoy called the meeting "a win-win situation" and discussed Washington’s "future policy on Afghanistan," the statement said.

"We are trying to get Afghanistan’s economy back on its feet," West was quoted as saying.

The three sides lauded the ADF as a "good opportunity to develop contacts," the statement added.

The second edition of the annual ADF has brought together politicians, diplomats, opinion makers and academics from around the world to discuss hot button global issues.

Muttaqi is heading Afghanistan’s delegation, which will engage in discussions and meet missions from various countries over the next two days.