US diplomats laud Taliban, consider talks were ‘frank and professional’

The United States has said that the first round of consultations with the Taliban was “frank and professional”. For the first time since the American withdrawal from Afghanistan last weekend, a US delegation held talks in person with the current rulers in the country.

According to a statement by the US State Department, the US delegation focused on issues such as security and the threat of terrorism during the talks, which took place in Doha in Qatar. The need for safe passage for American citizens, other foreigners and Afghans was also discussed. The human rights situation was also on the agenda, including the position of women in the country.

The two sides also discussed the provision of American humanitarian aid to the Afghan people. Earlier, it was reported through Afghan media that the Taliban had requested the release of Afghan financial assets. Since the Taliban took over, about $ 9 billion of bank balances abroad have been frozen.

The US said earlier that the talks are not about recognising or legitimising the Taliban. The last American troops left Afghanistan at the end of August. Their departure marked the end of the international military mission in the country, which lasted almost two decades.