Taliban seek ties with Pakistan, Russia, China

F.P. Report

MOSCOW: Afghanistan Acting Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund held consultations with special envoys of Russia’s president, China’s Foreign Ministry and Pakistan’s prime minister on September 21-22. The representatives of the Taliban movement stressed the importance of relations with Russia, China and Pakistan in the context of the situation in Afgha-nistan, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a news release on Wednesday.
“On September 21-22, at the invitation of the Taliban authorities, special envoy of the President of Russia Z. N. Kabulov, special envoy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Yue Xiaoyun and special envoy of the Prime Min-ister of the IRP M. Sadiq visited Kabul. They were received by Acting Prime Minister Mullah Moham-mad Hasan Akhund, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Finance Minister Hidayatullah Badri, and other officials, the news release said.
A wide range of issues related to the latest political changes in Afghanistan were discussed in an in-depth and constructive manner . The emphasis is on aspects such as the inclusiveness of the government, human rights, the development of economic and humanitarian ties in order to stimulate friendly relations of Afghanistan with foreign states, including neighbors, and ensuring the unity and territorial integrity of the country. Support was expressed for the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking.
“The Taliban side emphasized special attention to the promotion of relations with Russia, China and Pakistan, emphasized the responsible role of the three countries in strengthening peace and security in Afghanistan. An agreement was reached on maintaining constructive contacts in the interests of peace and prosperity in Afghanistan, stability and development of the region.”
“The special envoys also met with the former President of Afghanistan H. Karzai and the former Chairman of the Supreme Council for National Reconciliation A. Abdullah. Efforts to promote peace and stability in the country were reviewed, the news release runs.”