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Moscow claims US wanted to export Afghan heroin to Russia
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has contributed more to the fight against drugs in Afghanistan in the past year than did a two-decade effort by a coalition led by the United States which was interested in exporting Afghan heroin to Russia and other countries, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said.
The Russian politician referred to the Afghan Opium Survey 2023 released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) earlier this month. According to the report, opium production in Afghanistan saw a 95% decline, from 6,200 tons produced in 2022 to 333 tons in 2023.
“In less than a year, the Taliban (IEA), no matter how we may feel about it, did what the US-led NATO coalition, which was allegedly fighting terrorism in the country, failed to do over a span of 20 years. That’s what happens when those who were, in fact, interested in exporting heroin to Russia and other countries leave the region,” Medvedev wrote on his Telegram channel, TASS news agency reported.
The United States completed the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan in the summer of 2021, marking the end of a military operation that was launched in 2001.
Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has announced that Tehran will host a regional meeting on Afghanistan next week.
Referring to Iran’s ongoing consultations with neighboring countries, including Pakistan and Afghanistan, aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region, he said: “The Islamic Republic of Iran attaches fundamental importance to security and stability in our neighboring environment, and in this regard, spares no effort to reduce tensions among regional countries and to strengthen mutual understanding.”
He described the upcoming meeting as the result of consultations held at various levels with neighboring countries and other regional actors, expressing hope that this initiative will play an effective role in enhancing regional cohesion and easing tensions.
According to Baqaei, the regional meeting will take place next week in Tehran, hosted by Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and will be attended by special representatives for Afghan affairs from Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China, and Russia.
The European Union has announced €25 million in assistance to the World Food Programme’s Afghanistan office.
According to the EU, the aid will be used to develop climate-resilient projects and strengthen local food systems in Afghanistan.
It will also help create employment opportunities for women and youth, as well as support school nutrition programs.
The EU added that this cooperation will continue to expand opportunities that improve the lives of Afghans.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate has denied reports claiming that Afghan dual citizens living abroad are now required to obtain an Afghan visa when returning to their home country.
Zia Ahmad Takal, the ministry’s head of public relations, said in a statement that no new decision has been made in this regard.
According to him, Afghans who travel to Afghanistan with a foreign passport, as before, do not need to obtain a visa if they present proof of their Afghan identity, and they may enter the country without a visa.
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