Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Abdul Salam Hanafi, the Acting Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan, met in the capital, Kabul, on Tuesday, with the British Special Envoy to Afghanistan Simon Gass and the Chargé d'Affairs of the United Kingdom Mission in Afghanistan Martin Longed.
During the meeting - which is the first between the two sides since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan - Mullah Baradar stressed that the Afghan government is committed to good relations with Britain and other countries, adding that his country's isolation will increase poverty and unemployment, and will have negative effects on Afghanistan and the world at large.
A statement by the Afghan government quoted the British envoy as saying that his country wants to work closely with the Afghan government.
The two British officials discussed how the UK can help address the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the need for the country not to become a hotbed and springboard for terrorism, and the need to secure safe passage for those who wish to leave, according to the statement.
The statement said the British government continues to do everything in its power to ensure safe passage for those who wish to leave, and is committed to supporting the Afghan people.
He added that the meeting focused on detailed discussions on reviving diplomatic relations between the two countries, and confirming the security of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan for all citizens who enter legally.
British launch
The British delegation that arrived in Afghanistan, on a trip facilitated by Qatar, was able to secure the release of former British soldier Ben Slater, who was arrested by the Taliban at the border with Pakistan last month while trying to get Afghan refugees to safety.
A British government official said that Slater left Kabul with the British delegation.
For his part, spokesman for the Taliban's Foreign Ministry, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, confirmed that the meeting "focused on detailed talks on reviving diplomatic relations between the two countries."
But a British official stressed that the visit did not constitute recognition or "acknowledgment of the legitimacy" of the Taliban, considering that the purpose of the visit was to open a channel of communication.
"We are very realistic," the official said. "It's good to be able to get in and out safely. It's a pragmatic dialogue to secure safe passage, provide humanitarian assistance and combat terrorism."
Mullah Khairallah Khair Khawa confirmed that his government's policy is to solve problems through dialogue and understanding (Al-Jazeera)
UN envoy
Meanwhile, Afghan Acting Information Minister Mullah Khairullah Khairkhah said that his government's policy is to solve problems through dialogue and understanding, not pressure.
He added, during his meeting with Deborah Lyons, envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Afghanistan, that the international community can resume work in the country, after the rate of corruption has decreased.
Khairkhawa called on the international community to help the Afghans and give them the opportunity to choose who they want.
Famine warning
On the humanitarian front, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said his organization and agencies are in a race against time to help Afghan families before the onset of winter.
UN agencies have warned that an estimated 3.2 million Afghan children under the age of five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition by the end of the year.
A report issued on Tuesday by UN agencies, including the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), indicated that without immediate treatment, at least one million children are at risk of death.
The report stated that acute food insecurity affects 14 million people in Afghanistan, who do not have access to water, food and basic health and nutrition services, after years of conflict and economic crisis.
This warning came after a two-day visit to the city of Herat by Herve Ludovic, UNICEF representative in Afghanistan, and Mary-Elaine McGarraty, WFP representative in that country.