Jakarta: Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi last week met with representatives of the Taliban when she visited Qatar. The meeting was held on the sidelines of her discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister of Qatar who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.
During the meeting with Sheikh Mohammed, the Minister Retno emphasized that the talks between the two had yielded positive results. This includes the condition in Afghanistan.
“We discussed many issues related to Afghanistan. I convey the importance of inclusive governance; respect for women’s rights and ensuring Afghanistan does not become a breeding ground for terrorist organizations and activities,” Foreign Minister Retno said, via Twitter on August 27, 2021.
These three things were also conveyed by Indonesia's first female foreign minister when she held a meeting with representatives of the Taliban who were in Qatar. The meeting took place at the Taliban Representative Office located in Doha on August 26.
In addition, the Foreign Minister also took the time to meet with the United States Special Representative for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad. With Khalilzad, Retno discussed issues related evacuation, security and the future of Afghanistan.
Previously, in an interview with Media Indonesia, Tuesday, August 24, 2021, Foreign Minister Retno said that Indonesia continued to monitor the development of the situation in Afghanistan, especially after the Taliban group seized the capital city of Kabul on August 15. In addition to monitoring the security and political situation in Afghanistan, Indonesia is also waiting for the implementation of the Taliban's promises.
"Time will tell whether there will be a change in the Taliban, because of their statements about inclusiveness, women's issues and so on, that's what we hope for," said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.
"We want to see that (the promises) will be implemented, because we have been pushing in that direction for a long time," she continued.
According to Foreign Minister Retno, the situation in Afghanistan is still very fluid even though the Taliban have captured the capital city. The process of internal negotiations between the Taliban and a number of high-ranking Afghan officials is still ongoing, including about what and who will sit in the next government.
Since there is no clear system of government in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Retno said that the best step at this time was to "observe." This observation can be made because Indonesia is still opening diplomatic missions in Kabul, while several other countries choose to freeze or close completely.
At this point, Foreign Minister Retno continued, Indonesia could not say further about Afghanistan. "It's too early to say A, B, C, D. Everything will depend on the situation on the ground later," she said.
"We continue to make observations. We will calculate very carefully. At this point, we have no intention of closing our mission in Kabul," added Foreign Minister Retno.
The Indonesian Embassy in Kabul is still operating today, although its operational activities are temporarily carried out from Islamabad, Pakistan.
Cek Berita dan Artikel yang lain di Google News
FOLLOW US
Ikuti media sosial medcom.id dan dapatkan berbagai keuntungan
