The Taliban's Foreign Ministry announced that Amir Khan Muttaqi, the group's foreign minister, met with Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan.

The ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that Otunbayeva praised the Taliban's economic efforts and said that she would discuss the group's achievements at UN meetings.

Zia Ahmad Takal, the Taliban's deputy foreign ministry spokesman, also quoted Otunbayeva as saying that for the first time in the past year, development aid to Afghanistan has increased.

He quoted the head of UNAMA as saying, "This is a very positive development and will have a positive impact on the Afghan economy."

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban's foreign minister, has also said that Afghanistan is on the path of growth after the establishment of stability.

UNAMA has not yet commented on the meeting or Roza Otunbayeva's remarks.