1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang, Kyung-wha had her first telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan Mohammad Haneef Atmar on the afternoon of January 25 at the latter’s request and discussed the Afghan peace process as well as cooperation on the bilateral level and the international stage.

2. Foreign Minister Kang voiced hope that the intra-Afghan peace negotiations currently underway between the Afghan government and the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, would move successfully forward and establish permanent peace in Afghanistan and that discussions on such matters as women’s rights would also make progress.

° Foreign Minister Atmar extended appreciation to the Korean government for its support for peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and expressed hope that the international community would make concerted efforts to achieve universal values, such as democracy, the rule of law and human rights, in the country.

3. The Foreign Ministers agreed that the two countries, currently witnessing a significant turning point for global affairs, would work closely together in all areas, including political affairs, economy, development and culture, while having necessary discussion through high-level dialogue.

4. Foreign Minister Kang conveyed hope that high-level officials of Afghanistan would join the United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial to be hosted by the Korean government in December 2021 and asked Afghanistan to support the Korean government’s bid in the Security Council election for non-permanent members for the 2024-2025 term.