The EU foreign policy chief met separately with Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to discuss regional challenges and developments in Afghanistan.

Iran PressAsia: After the meetings, Joseph Borrell tweeted that he had discussed security challenges and the impact of instability in the region with Imran Khan, noting that a peaceful solution to the Afghan issue through negotiations is the only way forward.

The European Union strongly supports an inclusive peace process centered on Afghan groups," Joseph Borrell tweeted about his meeting with the Afghan president.

The International Conference on Central and South Asia: Regional Relations, Challenges, and Opportunities kicked off in Tashkent on Friday morning with the participation of Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The conference is attended by the foreign ministers of Central and South Asian countries, as well as representatives from 44 countries and 30 international organizations.

Various parts of Afghanistan have been the scene of intense clashes between Taliban elements and government forces in recent weeks.

Taliban fighters have made rapid territorial advances across Afghanistan since May 1, when the United States and NATO allies formally began withdrawing their last remaining troops from the country.  

The insurgents have since overrun at least 150 of Afghanistan’s more than 400 districts.  

The assault on Qala-e-Naw was the first by the Taliban against a provincial capital, fueling fears the insurgents intend to regain power in Kabul by force instead of returning to the table for peace talks with Afghan government representatives to negotiate a political settlement. 219

Read More:

Afghan pro-government forces thwart Taliban attack