- · Tehran to Host Moscow Format Contact Group Meeting for Peace, Stability, Development in Afghanistan
- · Russian President Vladimir Putin, Emphasizes Building Relations with Afghanistan
- · Moscow Supports Afghanistan Joining SCO, Says Russian Envoy
- By: Muhammad Arif
· Islamabad: Tehran, the capital of Iran, will be hosting the Moscow Format Contact Group meeting on Afghanistan on Saturday (June 8) in Tehran, said Zamir Kabulov, the Russian President’s special envoy for Afghanistan, reported TASS, Russian news agency on Tuesday.
Kabulov stated that representatives from Russia, China, Iran, and Pakistan will participate in this meeting.
“Moscow Format’s Contact Group meeting on Afghanistan is scheduled to be held next Saturday.
The Russian President’s special envoy for Afghanistan has also discussed preparations for the third Doha meeting with Taliban representatives, Tass reported.
The fifth regional meeting on Afghanistan, known as the ‘Moscow Format,’ was held in Kazan, Russia, in October 2023.
In this meeting, Iran proposed the formation of a regional contact group, which later faced a deadlock due to Pakistan’s opposition.
In the fifth Moscow Format meeting on Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s Foreign Minister, was present.
Representatives from several regional countries emphasized on combating terrorism and forming an inclusive government in Afghanistan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizes Building Relations with Afghanistan
In his latest remarks on Tuesday at Saint Petersburg, the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, emphasized on the need for the formation of an inclusive government with the participation of all ethnic groups in Afghanistan.
“We must ensure that all agreements at the UN level are implemented, including a government with the participation of all ethnic groups in Afghanistan. This is a delicate and very important issue. But we need to establish relations with the Taliban”, he added.
Putin further said, “We need to improve relations with the neighbouring country somehow, especially since Uzbekistan has a long border, and we need to ensure security and, I repeat, develop logistics.”
Putin stated, “We must act considering this reality and adjust our relations accordingly.”
Without elaborating on the existing problems in Afghanistan, Putin said, “Everyone is aware of them.”
Moscow Supports Afghanistan Joining SCO, Says Russian Envoy
Zamir Kabulov, the Russian special envoy for Afghanistan has stated that recognizing the Taliban government is not the only condition for Afghanistan’s rejoining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Kabulov affirmed that Moscow supports Afghanistan’s accession to the organisation even prior to recognizing the Taliban.
However, he noted that Afghanistan must stabilize its economy for other SCO members to back its inclusion.
Tehran Supports Regional Cooperation and Integration
Rasul Mousavi, Director General of South Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, wrote in a message on the X Friday: Tehran will host the meeting of the regional contact group for Afghanistan on Saturday, June 8.
Iranian diplomat further added that the consultation of the special representatives of Iran, Pakistan, China and Russia is on the agenda.
“Tehran meeting will be a message of peace, stability and development for Afghanistan and the region in the light of regional cooperation and integration,” he added.
Amb. Asif Ali Khan Durrani, the special envoy of the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Afghanistan is scheduled to travel to Tehran to participate in the meeting of the regional contact group.
Taliban Want Economic Collaboration, Regional Stability and Development: Suhail Shaheen
Suhail Shaheen, head of political office of the Islamic Emirate in Doha, said Tuesday in an exclusive interview with The Kabul Times” the Moscow Economic Forum, expected to be held today June 5, will discuss various economic topics including economic collaboration, regional stability and development as the most important agenda,”.
