Washington DC: The United States will hold a virtual meeting on Afghanistan on Monday (local time), informed the US State Department, adding that Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to give a public statement later on the same day. "On Monday, August 30, 2021, the United States will host a virtual ministerial meeting with key partners on Afghanistan, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Qatar, the European Union, and NATO. The participants will discuss an aligned approach for the days and weeks ahead," the State Department statement read.
According to State Department Spokesperson Ned Price, Blinken discussed Afghanistan and the issue of safe passage for Afghans and foreign nationals following the Taliban's takeover of Kabul with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday. "Later in the afternoon [on Monday], Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will deliver remarks on our efforts [in Afghanistan] since August 14 and discuss the way forward," the State Department informed in a separate statement.
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