Afghanistan Norway is making “substantial demands” on the Taliban – Tuesday was the last day of negotiations in Oslo

Norway said it was making “substantial demands” on the extremist Taliban, which negotiated in Oslo on the last day on Tuesday. The news agencies AFP and NTB report on the matter.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Organization Amir Khan Agaqin The delegation, led by the EU, has met with Western diplomats and Afghan activists, among others. Negotiations have focused on the humanitarian crisis and human rights in Afghanistan.

Tuesday The program of the Taliban visit included meetings with a Norwegian diplomat Henrik Thunen and Norwegian NGOs. Thune said Aftenpostenillethat Norway, in particular, had taken the initiative in negotiations with its allies. The process started as early as November.

“We are going to set significant demands that we can monitor and see if they are met,” Thune told the Norwegian news agency NTB about the program on Tuesday.

According to the NTB, the requirements include the ability to provide humanitarian assistance directly to the Afghan people. In addition, Norway demands the realization of the rights of women and minorities in particular, such as access to education, employment and free movement.

The disappearance of two female activists in Afghanistan also sparked further debate. The Taliban has denied it arrested the activists.

At issue is the Taliban ‘s first visit to Europe since an extremist organization took power in Afghanistan last August.

On Monday, the Taliban described the talks as a “major breakthrough”. From the extremist point of view, the visit is a step towards the international recognition of the Taliban as the Afghan regime.

No country has recognized the Taliban regime, and the Taliban were still not allowed to meet with the Norwegian Foreign Minister or other key government ministers.

However, Norway has also been widely criticized for holding talks.

“I am sorry that a country like Norway is sitting at the same table with terrorists making agreements,” said a protester in Kabul on a regular basis. Wahida Amiri news agency for AFP.

Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre chaired a meeting of the UN Security Council on Afghanistan in New York on Tuesday and told Aftenposten that he also understood the critical reactions to the talks.

“I understand that many react when they see the Taliban in Norway. They have values ​​that are as far away from our own values ​​as possible. ”

However, the prime minister stressed that the talks did not start “a day too early”. He referred to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and the danger of a new influx of refugees.

The United States was represented in the negotiations by the Special Representative Thomas West. He thanked Norway, for example, for including Afghan activists and NGOs in the dialogue.