Albares travels to Qatar to seek escape routes for more Afghans and activate “economic diplomacy”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Manuel Albares, is this Tuesday in Qatar to meet the emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad al Zani, to find more ways to evacuate Afghan collaborators who are still in the country and who were unable to leave in the first phase of repatriation.

The objective of Albares is, in addition, that “humanitarian aid reaches Afghanistan” and “that human rights are respected“, especially those of women and girls, who are currently” threatened “, as well as activating the “economic diplomacy” with the Qatari authorities and businessmen.

This trip from Albares to Qatar comes days after his trip to Pakistan, where he traveled last week to also plan evacuation routes for more Afghans. Qatar and Pakistan are the states with the strongest political relationship with radical Afghan Islamists. From Doha, the Qatari capital, there have been several flights from Kabul since US troops withdrew from its airport on August 31.

“They are countries with knowledge and influence on the Taliban. They can convey messages to them, “the Minister of Foreign Affairs explained this Tuesday in RNE. With the visit of Albares, Spain joins other allied countries, such as the US, the United Kingdom or France, who have sent senior officials to speak with the Government of the small emirate located in the Persian Gulf.

“The Taliban government has not been inclusive, neither with the previous government nor with women. We do not throw in the towel that these messages can reach respect for human rights and that our collaborators can leave, “he acknowledged, making it clear that they do not recognize the Taliban government.

“There is no intention of having contact, conversation or recognition of the Taliban government. Neither the EU nor NATO,” he explained, noting that the only contact that Spain will have with the Taliban will be “the operation.”

Albares, who has insisted that “our idea is to leave no one behind”, sees Kabul airport as a key point for the departure of collaborators after the first commercial flight from abroad arrived in the Afghan capital on Monday after the partial reopening of the airfield. “If the airport returns to function we will use that route. We will spare no effort, “he insisted.

Investment in Qatar

Another reason for this trip is to reinforce economic ties of Spain and Qatar for evaluate investment opportunities. There the Government aims to “develop economic diplomacy”, with meetings not only with the Emir of Qatar and his Foreign Minister, Mohamed Bin Abderrahman al Zani, also with Spanish companies, Qatari investment funds and the president of the Qatar Business Association.

“The speed with which I have been received in Qatar and the high-level meetings that I am going to have with the Emir and the Foreign Minister are proof,” he said.

The stay in Doha will conclude with a meeting with families who have been evacuated from Afghanistan.

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