Today, Sunday, the US Secretary of State and Defense will head to Doha to coordinate positions on Afghanistan and support evacuation efforts, while several Western countries have decided to transfer their embassies in Afghanistan to Doha.
The State Department announced that Secretary Anthony Blinken will visit Qatar today, Sunday, before heading to Germany, to reaffirm Washington's commitment to its strong relationship and express gratitude for continued cooperation on shared priorities.
The State Department said in a statement that "Blinken will meet in Doha, the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and senior officials, to thank Doha's support for the safe crossing of American and Afghan citizens."
The State Department added that Blinken will discuss with Qatari officials the coordination of evacuation efforts, and other regional priorities.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will also arrive in Doha today to discuss coordinating positions and supporting evacuation efforts from Afghanistan.
Relocation of embassies
Meanwhile, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said on Sunday that Italy intends to move its embassy in Afghanistan to the Qatari capital, Doha, in reference to the direction of several Western countries to settle permanently outside Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban's takeover of the country.
The Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, reviewed with Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio in Doha the most prominent regional and international developments, especially the situation in Afghanistan.
Di Maio thanked the Emir of the State of Qatar for his country's role and efforts in facilitating the evacuation of Italian citizens from Afghanistan.
HH The Emir receives, in his office at the Emiri Diwan, HE Luigi Di Maio, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the friendly Italian Republic, and the accompanying delegation, on the occasion of his visit to the country.
https://t.co/F2Aa3B6qmj pic.twitter.com/X9YE1Ryt3L
— The Emiri Diwan (@AmiriDiwan) September 5, 2021
The foreign ministers of Western countries are arriving one after another to Qatar, and several countries - including the United States, Germany and the Netherlands - have decided to transfer their embassies in Afghanistan to Doha, which is making efforts to reopen Kabul Airport in light of its role as a neutral and influential mediator in the Afghan crisis.
Qatar is mediating between the Taliban and Western countries in the wake of the withdrawal of foreign forces from the country after a two-decade war.
It also hosts an office of the movement and has facilitated talks between the Afghan group and the United States.
The Qataris began talking to the Taliban in 2013 at the request of US President Barack Obama at the time.
Qatar then hosted talks between the administration of Donald Trump and the Taliban, which in 2020 reached an agreement on the withdrawal of US forces, and then direct negotiations between the former rebels and the former Afghan government.
"The Qataris have built a reputation for honest brokers willing to help warring parties find a way to end the conflict," says researcher Colin Clark of the Soufan Institute in New York.
According to Clarke, the Qataris have gained a growing recognition that Doha is the right place to reach an agreement, and Doha has become the Geneva of the Middle East where the warring parties can meet on neutral ground to reach an agreement.
Within eight days, Qatar received the foreign ministers of Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Britain, and the American foreign and defense ministers will also visit it on Sunday.