Russia emphasizes importance of continuing talks with IE

KABUL (TOLONews): Grigory Karasin, the head of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian Federation Council, called the continuation of talks with Afghanistan’s interim government important.

In a meeting on Central Asia regional security held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, this Russian official added that the interim government now holds power in Afghanistan, and dialogue with it is essential to maintain peace and stability in Central Asia.

TASS news agency quoted Karasin as saying: “It appears important to continue dialogue with the Taliban movement in power [in Afghanistan] in order to maintain peace and stability in Central Asia.”

“The countries of the region should have good relations with Afghanistan in all areas and cooperate with this country; this will be beneficial for the region and other countries,” said Sayed Akbar Sial Wardak, a political analyst.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Tajikistan sees peaceful talks aimed at forming an inclusive government in Afghanistan as beneficial for the country.

Sodik Imom, Deputy Foreign Minister of Tajikistan, said: “That is why our countries agree that peaceful dialogue aimed at forming an inclusive government with the participation of representatives of all political and ethnic forces of Afghanistan is an important guarantee for this country’s transition to peaceful development.”

“Afghanistan is an important part of the region, and if the region wants peace and to implement large economic projects, it needs, it requires Afghanistan. Without Afghanistan’s cooperation, these projects cannot be realized,” said Hewad Zazai, another political analyst.

Although the Islamic Emirate has not commented on the remarks of Tajikistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, it expressed appreciation for the statement of the head of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian Federation Council regarding the continuation of talks with the interim government.

Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, said: “We welcome the positive stance of the head of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian Federation Council. It is indeed a fact that dialogue between the Islamic Emirate and regional countries is important for regional stability and the expansion of relations.”

Russia is one of the countries that has hosted several regional meetings on Afghan issues in the past three years, and in the sixth Moscow Consultative Format meeting, the country’s foreign minister also stressed pragmatic talks with the interim government.