(ANSA) - NEW YORK, JAN 25 - The Taliban who in these days took part in the first talks in Europe with the Western countries and Afghan civil society, held in Oslo, "were serious and sincere". The Norwegian Prime Minister JonasGahr Store said this, speaking with reporters at the UN in New York, where tomorrow he will preside over a meeting of the Security Council on Afghanistan.
"The meetings between the Taliban and Afghan civil society lasted six or seven hours. It is the first step to start dealing with those who hold de facto power in Afghanistan", explained the head of the Oslo government. "We - he added - have clearly indicated that we want girls to go back to school in March, including those over 12 years old".
Commenting on the criticism of the invitation to the self-styled Koric students despite their serious violations of human rights, the Norwegian premier replied arguing that "the alternative is to leave Afghanistan", where "half the population is in need of humanitarian aid", and to risk it " humanitarian catastrophe ".
(HANDLE).
