Russia is set to convene a meeting of regional countries on Friday to discuss, among other issues, the expansion of “practical interaction” with Taliban-governed Afghanistan in political, economic, counterterrorism, and counternarcotics areas.
Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will participate as the “chief guest” in what will be the sixth round of the “Moscow Format” of consultations on Afghanistan, reported Maria Zakharova, the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson, on the eve of the gathering.
Russia launched the Moscow Format in 2017, and it has since become a regular platform for discussion of challenges facing impoverished, war-torn Afghanistan.
Zakharova told reporters in the Russian capital that special representatives and senior officials from China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan will attend the gathering.
She said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will preside over the closed-door meeting, and that “the main focus of the discussions” would be advancing the Afghan national reconciliation process.
Zakharova also said, without elaborating, that Lavrov plans to hold bilateral talks separately with Muttaqi and his team on key areas of collaboration between Moscow and Kabul.
Muttaqi’s office in Kabul reported separately that he is scheduled to meet Lavrov on the sidelines of the Moscow Format gathering.
Moscow has established close informal ties with the Taliban since the former insurgents regained control of Afghanistan three years ago, following the withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition troops after almost two decades of war.
Russia, however, has not recognized the Taliban as a legitimate government, in line with international consensus on the issue.
She reiterated that the Taliban would need to improve its human rights record to win international legitimacy and be removed from sanctions lists so they can rejuvenate the Afghan economy.
“Afghanistan cannot strengthen its economy unless women can participate in all aspects of society without limitations,” stated Jean-Pierre. “So, we will continue to engage with the Taliban on matters of our interest — for example, on respect for the rights of women and girls and the return of wrongfully detained U.S. citizens — and that’s how we’re going to move forward with them.”
