Italy is willing to channel funds originally earmarked for Afghanistan's armed forces towards aid projects to help civilians in the war-ravaged country following last month's Taliban takeover.
'We are ready to redirect funding to development projects we used to train the Afghan army," Di Maio said on the eve of a visit to neighbouring Uzbekistan, Tagikistan and Pakistan that will include a stop in Qatar.
Italy is looking at cooperation projects with countries bordering Afghanistan that will have to manage many thousands of Afghans fleeing their homeland, Di Maio noted.
Upholding human rights, especially those of women as well as the gains of the past 20-year international mission to Afghanistan are "priorities", Di Maio underlined.
An "inclusive" government must be formed in the Taliban-controlled country that will allow "full access to humanitarian aid agencies and to non-profit organisations," he stated.
