The first meeting of the Joint Economic and Trade Commission between Afghanistan and Russia was held in Kazan, on the sidelines of the 17th international conference titled “Russia and the Islamic World.”

The meeting was chaired by Afghanistan’s Minister of Higher Education, Neda Mohammad Nadim, and brought together senior officials from both countries, including Russia’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade and Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce.

The primary focus of the meeting was to expand bilateral cooperation in economic, trade, and transit sectors, as well as to attract investment and strengthen long-term economic engagement between the two countries, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Higher Education.

In his remarks, the Afghan Minister of Higher Education said Afghanistan’s foreign policy is based on balanced and positive engagement with the international community, grounded in mutual respect and Islamic values. He stressed that strengthening ties with Russia forms an important part of this approach.

He also highlighted Afghanistan’s strategic geographical position, saying the country has the potential to serve as a key economic connectivity hub linking Central Asia, South Asia, and other surrounding regions.

According to him, Afghanistan and Russia are now entering a new phase of relations that could pave the way for broader cooperation in political, economic, and scientific fields.

Russia’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Alexey Gruzdev, welcomed the establishment of the joint commission, describing it as an important step toward enhancing economic relations between Moscow and Kabul.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to form technical working groups to further examine key issues and continue coordination on practical cooperation initiatives.

Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev has said that tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan are harming regional trade and delaying major infrastructure and energy projects across South and Central Asia.

Speaking in a podcast, Khorev said that trade flows involving Pakistan, Central Asia, and Russia have been negatively affected, and Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector has been particularly hit.

He further said that key infrastructure projects, including the Trans-Afghan railway, have been delayed, while major energy initiatives such as CASA-1000 and TAPI remain uncertain.

The envoy added that Russia is ready to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan if both sides request its involvement, emphasizing Moscow’s support for regional peace and reconciliation efforts.

The Russian envoy also said the current Afghan government has shown resilience and effectiveness despite sanctions, frozen national assets and severe banking restrictions. He added that it is able to function and maintain productive relations with regional and global partners even without formal international recognition.

Khorev said other countries are likely to follow Russia in developing mutually beneficial ties with Afghanistan. He also argued that the government could perform more effectively if Western countries released frozen Afghan assets, which he said could help in counterterrorism efforts and address challenges such as refugee issues.

On girls’ education, the ambassador stressed that fundamental human rights must be respected by all sides, including the Afghan authorities, and said access to education is essential for the country’s long-term progress.