Taliban administration and Russia stress expanding bilateral cooperation in Kabul
The Taliban administration said that Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister, discussed expanding bilateral ties and cooperation with Dmitry Zhirnov, Russia’s ambassador in Kabul. According to the Taliban administration’s foreign ministry, the meeting took place on Saturday in Kabul.
In its statement, the ministry said the two sides discussed the development of relations, shared interests and ways to strengthen cooperation between Kabul and Moscow. The Taliban administration also said the regional situation and current developments were reviewed during the meeting.
According to the Taliban administration’s foreign ministry, both sides stressed the continuation of relations and cooperation between Afghanistan and Russia. No further details were released on the practical outcome of the talks.
Russia on 12 Saratan last year was the first and so far only country to formally recognise the Taliban administration. Moscow had previously removed the Taliban’s name from its list of terrorist organisations in late Hamal 1404.
Over the past year, diplomatic exchanges between Taliban officials and Russia have increased. The two sides also signed a military-technical cooperation agreement in Jawza this year, an accord that, according to the text of the report, paves the way for greater cooperation in the defence sector.
Russia has also supported expanding cooperation with the Taliban administration in the areas of security, counterterrorism, trade, energy, transport and infrastructure. Russia is among the few countries that have consistently maintained official and public contact with the administration since the Taliban returned to power.
