The Norwegian government has indicated that it wants to make “
tangible demands
” to the Taliban whom it meets on Tuesday January 25 in Oslo, on the last day of a controversial visit by the Islamists, the first in Europe since their return to power in Afghanistan.
Read alsoThe holding of a meeting in Oslo is a “success” for the Taliban
A Taliban delegation led by their Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amir Khan Muttaqi, has been in Norway since Saturday to discuss the humanitarian emergency in Afghanistan, where famine threatens more than half of the population, a consequence of the freezing of international aid and droughts. After meeting members of Afghan civil society on Sunday and then Western diplomats on Monday, the Taliban are to conclude their visit with meetings with a Norwegian politician and NGOs from the Nordic country.
"
This is not the start of an open and infinite process
," said Secretary of State Henrik Thune, who was to meet with the delegation at 10:30 a.m. (09:30 GMT).
“
We are going to put forward tangible demands that we can follow up and see if they fulfill them,
” he told Norwegian news agency NTB on Monday.
No state recognizes the Taliban regime
In addition to the possibility of providing humanitarian aid directly to the Afghan population, the requirements will, according to NTB, mainly concern human rights, in particular those of women and minorities, such as access to education and health services. , the right to work and freedom of movement. The fate of two feminists who disappeared last week in Kabul after taking part in a demonstration should also be raised. The Taliban deny any involvement.
Ousted from power in 2001 but regained control of Afghanistan last August, the Islamists say they see these meetings in Norway as a step towards international recognition and the release of financial aid. "
The fact of having come to Norway (...) is a success in itself because we have shared the international scene
", welcomed Amir Khan Muttaqi Monday on the sidelines of talks with representatives of the United States, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, European Union and Norway.
Norway claims that these discussions are neither "
legitimation nor recognition
" of the Taliban government, but its decision to host a delegation has been strongly criticized by many experts and members of the Afghan diaspora.
No state has yet recognized the Taliban regime.
While hunger threatens 55% of the Afghan population, according to the UN, the international community is waiting to see how the Islamists govern, before a possible release of aid.
