Russia’s special envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, who arrived in Kabul on Thursday with a high-level delegation, met with Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting interior minister in the Taliban government.
“Russia can meet the needs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and extend a hand of cooperation,” Mr Kabulov was quoted as saying by the Taliban’s interior ministry.
The Taliban said that during the meeting, “comprehensive issues of both countries were discussed.”
The Taliban’s interior ministry said on Twitter that Mr Haqqani had told the Russian delegation during the meeting that they were committed to Afghanistan and that Afghanistan would no longer pose a threat to any of its neighbors or other countries.
Mr Haqqani had earlier said in a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that “Afghanistan will not be a threat to anyone.”
The Taliban said in a meeting with Sirajuddin Haqqani that Wang had said that “China will continue its partnership with Afghanistan and build a foundation of political trust.”
He added that he wanted “both countries to have a better future” and that China would take care of Afghanistan’s needs.
Simultaneous trips to Kabul by Wang Yi and Zamir Kabulov
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian President’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov met with Taliban leaders in Kabul on Thursday.
Abdul Qahar Balkhi the spokesman of foreign offires wrote on his Twitter account that the Chinese Foreign Minister, during a meeting with Taliban Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar at the Presidential Palace, stressed the importance of expanding security cooperation between the two countries.
Today, Special Representative of the Russian President Mr. Zamir Kabulov heading a delegation, visited Kabul & called on Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi.
The meeting focused on strengthening political, economic, transit & regional relations. pic.twitter.com/YEzNkq1Sif
— Abdul Qahar Balkhi (@QaharBalkhi) March 24, 2022
A statement from the Taliban said, “China appreciates the positive steps taken by the Taliban, but also calls for the formation of a coalition government in Afghanistan and a positive change in the lives of women and children.”
According to the Taliban, the Chinese Foreign Minister also added that China agrees to strengthen trade ties with Afghanistan and is ready to cooperate with the country in mining and construction of roads and hospitals.
The Taliban’s deputy prime minister also pledged “genuine cooperation” with China and called on the country to work on the Aynak copper mine in Logar.
This is the first visit to Afghanistan by a senior Chinese official since the Taliban took power.
Mr Wang Yi had earlier attended the 48th OIC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister was also attended by some cabinet ministers of the Taliban and they put forward their proposals on how to expand ties and cooperation.
In particular, they called for investment development, the creation of economic zones and investment in energy production using solar, water, wind and coal, and training of Afghans in these areas.
The Chinese Foreign Minister had earlier met with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mottaki.
The Taliban’s foreign ministry said the two ministers discussed, among other issues, Afghanistan’s involvement in the Belt and Road project (BRI).
Wang Yi also invited Amir Khan Mottaki to attend a meeting of Afghanistan’s foreign ministers in China next week.
On the same day as the Chinese Foreign Minister’s visit, the Russian President’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan also led a high-level delegation to Kabul and met with Taliban officials.
The Taliban said Russia’s special envoy had assured them of co-operation in the political, economic and security spheres.
Mr Kabulov said in a meeting with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban’s deputy chief of staff, that Russia was ready, after comprehensive and technical discussions with Afghan officials, to sign a number of agreements with the Afghan government. Have contracts.
He added that his visit to Afghanistan with such a comprehensive delegation showed that Russia was committed to taking practical steps after the Taliban set its priorities.
Mullah Baradar, in turn, called on the Russian government and private sector to invest in Afghanistan.
Zamir Kabulov also met with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mottaki before Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.
Pajhwok Afghan News quoted Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesman for the Taliban’s foreign ministry, as saying: . ”
Mr Takal said the delegation, led by Zamir Kabulov, included representatives from Russia’s defense, interior, economy, industry, agriculture and energy ministries.
Mr Mottaki said the new Afghan government was paying close attention to regional security and connectivity and wanted Afghanistan, as the heart of Asia, to play a key role in strengthening transit, trade, industry and the economy between the countries of the region. .
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