Italy is concerned by the Taliban's military resurgence in Afghanistan and wants to see renewed diplomatic efforts towards an end to the conflict as international troops rapidly depart the war-wracked country.
"The Taliban's advance worries us a good deal because they have already re-taken control of 80% of Afghanistan's border areas, causing great concern to neighbouring countries," Di Maio told a festival in Bologna.
The deteriorating situation in Afghanistan amid the speedy pull-out of international forces calls for greater diplomatic and political efforts to stabilised the conflict-ridden country, Di Maio stated.
"Much more diplomacy and multilateralism is needed and less military posturing," Di Maio said.
Italy's withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan after two decades marks "the end of an atrocious chapter," Di Maio underlined.
Italian volunteers, and foreign aid programmes and diplomats will remain Afghanistan "to help women and children and to strengthen the country's institutions," Di Maio vowed.
Peace talks between Taliban and Afghan government representatives are due to resume in Qatar next week, but US general Mark Milley, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, has warned of “the possibility of a complete Taliban takeover” of Afghanistan.
