The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here.
In recent weeks, Qatar has been mediating between the Afghan Taliban and Italy and Germany to encourage the latter to adopt a flexible approach on the issue of Afghanistan, leading to a statement from the Italian Foreign Ministry on October 27, announcing the appointment of Sabrina Ugolini as Italy's ambassador to Kabul.[1]
"I assume with responsibility and pride the position of Ambassador of Italy to Afghanistan, working in the Doha process. Human rights and the condition of women and girls will be at the core of my mandate, in the tradition of the Italian humanitarian commitment to the Afghan people," Ugolini stated on her new role.[2]
Sabrina Ugolini, the new Italian ambassador to Kabul.
Before her appointment, Mawlawi Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban), said that Qatar has always effectively improved the world's relations with Kabul and added: "We ask all countries to be serious in securing their relations with Afghanistan; this will benefit all parties."[3]
He stated: "Qatar is the first country that has cooperated a lot in Afghanistan's negotiations and freedom and has prepared the ground for negotiations and played a role in Afghanistan's economic cooperation, and played a major role at different times when Afghanistan was faced with natural events and assisted Afghanistan, It has normalized Afghanistan's relations with other countries and Qatar hosts Afghanistan's political office. We support the efforts of Qatar."[4]
Before the appointment of Sabrina Ugolini as the Italian envoy to Kabul, Qatar and Italy said in a joint statement "the continuation of their cooperation in the Doha process and emphasized the importance of bilateral strategic talks regarding Afghanistan."[5]
The joint statement read: "Italy is grateful to Qatar for hosting the Embassy of Italy to Afghanistan and will continue to contribute to the Doha Process on Afghanistan. In this framework, we reaffirm the importance of our bilateral Strategic Dialogue and look forward to holding its next session in Doha."[6]
Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid
Also, according to a ToloNews report of October 23, Qatar's special representative Faisal bin Abdullah Al Hanzab met with members of the German parliament to discuss strengthening peace and stability in Afghanistan. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: "The meeting dealt with a number of topics of common concern, especially enhancing peace and stability in Afghanistan."[7] The Qatari envoy's meeting took place with Stefan Keuter, Matthias Moosdorf, and Joachim Wundrak – members of the German parliament – and dealt with "a number of topics of common concern, especially enhancing peace and stability in Afghanistan."[8]
The full text of this post is available to subscribers.
Please login or register to request subscription information from MEMRI
