West to kick off visits to region to discuss Afghanistan

KABUL (TOLOnews): Thomas West, US Special Representative, said that he has started travels to Pakistan, UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia from December 5-15.

“Look forward to meeting with key partners to discuss shared security interests, refugee protection and resettlement, humanitarian needs, human rights, and economic issues,” West said. Political analyst Torek Farhadi said the West may ask for financial support for the UN operations in Afghanistan.

“Thomas West may seek financial support in the Gulf countries for the UN agencies,” he said. Meanwhile, Islamic Emirate’s spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said that Afghanistan wants to improve its relations with the international community. “Afghanistan itself wants to extend its relations with the countries. And the agenda of the visit of the Americans and its purpose belongs to them,” he said.

However, some political analysts believe that the visit of the US special envoy for Afghanistan is important considering the current circumstances. “If the US special envoy for Afghanistan is visiting Pakistan, I hope he should come to Afghanistan also. The concerns and propaganda should be shared with the government of Afghanistan,” said Hameedullah Hotak, political analyst.

“Thomas West’s visit is for the interest of the US. It is the Afghan refugees who are suffering from the problems in Iran and Pakistan. I hope the Afghan nation has a plan for consensus and unity in consultation with the current government,” said Zalmai Afghanyar, political analyst.

This comes as Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s Special Representative on Afghanistan, wrote on X that in a meeting with Julieta Valls Noyes, US Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, they discussed issues concerning Afghan refugees and their resettlement.