UN Secretary-General "Willing to Talk with Taliban... Inclusive Government Must Be Established"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his willingness to engage in direct talks with the Taliban and emphasized that the Taliban must strive to establish an inclusive government.

On the 19th (local time), Secretary-General Guterres stated at a press conference held at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA, "I have not yet had direct talks with the Taliban," but added, "However, if it becomes clear with whom and for what purpose talks should be held, I am willing to engage directly with the Taliban." He continued, "UN personnel in Afghanistan are in close contact with the Taliban," and "We are delivering our message strongly."

Having recently attended an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council regarding the situation in Afghanistan, Secretary-General Guterres said, "It is very important that the international community and all Security Council members unite," and added, "The fact that the Taliban want to gain legitimacy is our only leverage."

He further urged, "The international community must speak with one voice that establishing an inclusive government representing all the diverse ethnic groups in Afghanistan is essential." This is interpreted as a statement emphasizing the need to actively utilize the Taliban’s repeated gestures of conciliation and their desire for international recognition of their regime.

Earlier, according to Ariana, a local Afghan news agency, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, said at the Afghan Independence Day ceremony, "We want friendly relations with all countries around the world, including the United States. We are not hostile to any country," and appealed to the international community for recognition and support of the regime, saying, "Please join us in creating an inclusive system to prevent Afghanistan from falling into another crisis."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.