US and Taliban discuss economy, human rights and drugs

The United States and representatives of the Taliban Islamic radical movement ruling in Afghanistan gathered in Doha, the capital of Qatar, for two days of talks. Washington is open to further technical talks with the Taliban on economic stability and countering drug trafficking, the US State Department said after the first round of the meeting.

The State Department commended on the improvement in the financial situation in Afghanistan, including lower inflation, as well as the reduction in opium poppy cultivation as part of the 2022 ban, and reconfirmed its readiness to continue cooperation in countering drugs.

At the same time, the United States expressed concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan and reiterated its request to the Taliban to lift the ban on secondary education for girls, allow women to work, and release detained Americans.

For their part, the Taliban have called for lifting travel bans and other restrictions on Taliban leaders and returning the foreign assets of the Afghan central bank, the government in Kabul said.