International Desk(National Times)- Despite receiving an official invitation, the Taliban government has decided not to participate in the regional meeting on Afghanistan being held in Iran. The meeting is expected to be attended by special representatives of Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China, and Russia. Deputy spokesperson of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, told Pajhwok Afghan News that although the Islamic Emirate had been invited to the regional meeting to be held in Iran’s capital Tehran, Afghanistan would not participate. Explaining the reason for not attending, he said that Afghanistan already maintains continuous and active engagement with neighbouring and regional countries through various regional organisations, forums, and bilateral mechanisms, which have resulted in notable practical progress in promoting regional understanding and cooperation. The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that instead of creating new forums, existing regional systems and structures should be further strengthened to promote cooperation and mutual coordination in the region, he added. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei had announced that Iran would host a regional meeting on Afghanistan next week, with the participation of special representatives from all neighbouring countries of Afghanistan. Afghan officials say that the Islamic Emirate supports mutual trust, communication, and cooperation in the region, but considers existing regional platforms to be more effective and appropriate for achieving these goals. This statement from the Afghan government comes at a time when Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, urged the international community to press the Afghan Taliban government to fulfill its international obligations and commitments and to curb active terrorist elements operating from its territory. Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have persisted since border clashes in October this year. Although, following talks first in Doha and later in Istanbul, a ceasefire was agreed upon with the mediation of Qatar and Turkey, tensions between the two countries continue, and bilateral trade remains halted due to border closures.