The international community must join forces to stop Taliban-controlled Afghanistan becoming a base for terrorist groups that threaten global security, Italy's foreign minister Luigi Di Maio said on Monday, according to well-placed sources.
"Afghanistan cannot once again become fertile ground for terrorism and a threat to international security," Di Maio stated, cited by the sources.
Di Maio was speaking at a virtual meeting on Afghanistan attended by Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Turkey, the European Union and NATO and hosted by US secretary of state Antony Blinken.
"We must remain vigilant and make sure the Taliban honour their commitment to stop all terrorist groups operating in the country," Di Maio went on.
"We need to work towards this goal with all parties who share this concern, starting with countries from the region and including Russia and China," Di Maio underlined.
An affiliate of the Islamic State jihadist group claimed the suicide bombing at Kabul airport on 26 August that killed almost 200 people including at least 13 US troops.
