Kabul: US President Donald Trump’s Hostage Affairs envoy, Adam Boehler, met with Afghanistan’s Taliban-led interim Foreign Minister, Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi, marking the first public meeting between a Trump administration official and the interim administration in Afghanistan. The meeting took place on Thursday, as announced by officials in Kabul.
According to Anadolu Agency, Boehler was accompanied by former US Special Representative for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad. Hafiz Zia Ahmad, the deputy spokesman of the Afghan Foreign Ministry, stated that the two sides discussed various issues, including bilateral relations, the release of detainees, and the provision of consular services to Afghans residing in the US. This meeting follows the release of two detained Americans by the Taliban in a prisoner swap deal with Washington shortly after Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
The Taliban had also previously released an American national and Delta Airlines mechanic, George Gleismann, who had been held in captivity for over two years. During the meeting, Muttaqi described the visit by the US delegation as “a good development in bilateral relations,” emphasizing the importance of resolving issues through dialogue.
Muttaqi further expressed the necessity for Afghanistan and the United States to overcome the effects of the 20-year conflict and to build positive political and economic relations. Boehler noted the progress on the prisoner issue as “a good step towards building trust,” according to Ahmad, the ministry spokesman.
Additionally, Boehler praised the efforts made by Afghanistan against narcotics and in strengthening security. He emphasized the importance of continuing talks between the two sides to enhance relations through dialogue.