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FM Atmar to discuss bilateral relations, Afghan peace with his Russian counterpart
Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammed Haneef Atmar will visit Moscow, the capital of Russia to meet with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry said at her weekly briefing on Thursday, “On February 24-27, 2021, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammed Haneef Atmar will visit Moscow for talks with his Russian colleague Sergey Lavrov and other officials.”
Atmar would discuss various aspects of bilateral relations, including trade and economic ties, as well as peaceful settlement in Afghanistan and the need to counter the threats of terrorism and drug trafficking, Zakharova said.
“Russia lays emphasis on the promotion of national reconciliation in Afghanistan and the cessation of the long-standing armed conflict in the country,” she said.
“We are consistently advocating for the development of Afghanistan as a peaceful, independent, and neutral state, free of terrorism and drugs, and having good relations with its neighbors, the other countries in the region, and the rest of the world,” Zakharova noted.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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