Taliban team to visit Japan, Far East

ISLAMABAD (NNI): The Taliban Deputy Foreign Minister Abdul Rehman Zahid would embark on a tour to Japan on March 8 at the invitation of the Japanese authorities.

Earlier, at the head of delegation, the minister visited a number of European countries including Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium and Denmark to establish ties with these countries and win recognition. The minister is also scheduled to visit a number of Far East countries.

Abdul Rehman Zahid termed his Europes visit as very useful, fruitful and positive. "I am satisfied with the meetings and outcome of my visit to Europe where we held discussions on a number of issues including recognition for the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan", he told the BBC in an interview.

The minister said that he is expected to pay visit to a number of Far East countries as well to hold negotiations with the authorities concerned on latest developments in Afghanistan.

He said that political relations between Afghanistan and the world countries remained suspended due to the 20 years long war. After the restoration of peace and security in Afghanistan, the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan now wants to restore and reactive diplomatic and political relations and fraternal ties with the world countries.

"During our visit, abroad, we held meetings with the authorities concerned in cordial atmosphere and the meetings were very useful and positive. The issue of the recognition of the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan naturally also figured in the negotiations", he said.

The minister said that the European countries did not put any condition as they realize that peace and security has now returned to Afghanistan. "They told us that they do not recognize Rabbani administration and said that they are not having any kind of diplomatic relations with it. Some embassies and consulates in some countries are working just for the resolution at the problems of the Afghans", he added.

Zahid said that Talibans delegations was very warmly received in all the countries particularly in France and Denmark both by the officials and Afghans. "The visit was very fruitful. We held meetings with the Afghans living abroad in various cities and we have come back with positive results", he maintained.

He said that Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan intends to open missions in various European countries adding they already have representatives in London and Germany.