Regional meetings are incomplete without the presence of Afghan representatives

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Kabul: This meeting was held to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China’s victory over Japan in World War II. While the West, especially the United States, is openly plotting against its eastern rivals, especially China, Russia and Iran, the leaders of the regional countries gathered once again in a powerful manner at the height of global tensions and crises and evaluated important political, security and economic issues and the West’s unilateral actions.

Two days after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, China held its largest military parade, displaying its most advanced military equipment; a show that sent a clear message to the bullying and unilateral actions of the West and the United States. In this historic parade, the leaders of Russia, North Korea and leaders and officials of 24 other countries were present alongside Xi Jinping. The Chinese president said at the ceremony: “The world is at a crossroads between war and peace.” His statements from a position of power in such a sensitive situation, combined with the sincere talks of Asian leaders, angered Donald Trump, who immediately accused the three countries of China, Russia and North Korea of ​​conspiring against the United States.

 

Shanghai’s challenge to Western dominance

Although the West is planning large, complex and unusual conspiracies against the main members of Shanghai, the situation is out of the control of the United States and the West, and the emerging Eastern powers will shape the new world order. According to many political activists, Shanghai, which is now known as the "Asian Pact" or the "Eastern NATO", has challenged the military, economic and even monetary power of the West and could break the economic dominance of the United States in the near future by providing an alternative currency to the dollar in regional trade.

 

Afghanistan's empty place in Shanghai

With all the unique features of this meeting, Afghanistan's place in important and fateful international interactions remains empty. While the Shanghai meeting was held in Tianjin, China, no representative from Afghanistan was invited. It was expected that China would invite the Islamic Emirate, but this did not happen.

 

In the final statement of the meeting, the member states emphasized the need to establish Afghanistan as an independent, neutral and drug-free country, and considered the formation of an inclusive government with the participation of all ethnic and political groups to be the only way to achieve lasting stability in this country. The members also announced their support for the efforts of the international community for peace and development in Afghanistan.

However, many political analysts say that the presence of Afghan representatives in such meetings is necessary and vital, because Afghanistan still does not have a globally recognized government and is in political isolation. They believe that participation in international meetings, especially in the economic sphere, can reduce some of the global pressures and pave the way for the country to enter a new phase of interactions.

Aziz Maarij, a political analyst, said in an interview with Ava: “In the current situation where Afghanistan is relatively politically isolated and its people need extensive and meaningful relations with the world, the presence of representatives of the Islamic Emirate in international meetings is a necessity.”

According to him, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization members consist of regional countries that have vital influences on each other from a political, security, and economic perspective, but Afghanistan’s place in such important meetings is empty. He added: “Representatives of the Islamic Emirate must be present at international meetings to defend their position on the one hand and present their basic demands and proposals on the other.”

Maarej emphasized that the Islamic Emirate must take effective steps in accordance with global principles and added: “Afghanistan has a special place in the region in terms of its geographical location and trade and transit capacities. Whether the countries of the world like it or not, they need Afghanistan; therefore, it is necessary to invite Afghanistan to meetings such as Shanghai.”

 

Regional meetings are incomplete without Afghanistan

Ahmad Ali Qaderi, another political affairs expert, also stated in an interview with Ava: “Afghanistan is an important and strategic economic country in the region, and industrial countries such as China and Russia have a dire need for its raw materials for their industries, but unfortunately, Afghanistan has been deprived of attending the most important economic meeting in Shanghai.”

 

He recalled that Afghanistan used to be an observer member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, but now it seems that it has been completely excluded from this meeting. Qaderi called on the Islamic Emirate to provide the basis for participation in international meetings based on the country’s needs and national interests and to always showcase Afghanistan’s capacities and capabilities. Qaderi concluded by emphasizing: “Regional meetings, under whatever title, will be incomplete and incomplete without Afghanistan’s presence in the political, economic, and security arenas. The countries of the region must understand the importance of Afghanistan’s presence, and the Islamic Emirate must ensure meaningful participation in such meetings through precise policymaking.”