Italy will stand by Afghanistan and will work with the United Nations to keep up humanitarian aid to the Taliban-controlled country and prevent its economic and financial collapse.
"Italy will not abandon the people of Afghanistan," foreign minister Luigi Di Maio told the 14th Conference of Ambassadors and Ambassadors of Italy in the world taking place in Rome
"Our priority right now is to ensure the continuation of humanitarian assistance, under the coordination of United Nations, and avoid the economic and financial collapse of the country," said Di Maio.
In a bid to preserve the gains achieved during Afghanistan's 20-year occupation, especially in terms of rights, Italy has drawn up a national assistance plan, launched consultations with civil society organizations operating in Afghanistan, and launched humanitarian corridors for Afghan refugees, Di Maio said.
The crisis in Afghanistan represents "a major geopolitical watershed" and a "wound - over which the West must reflect deeply," he said.
