Russia will gladly take part in the ceremony announcing the composition of Afghanistan's new government, if it is inclusive, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters on Monday.
"We want to support the process of forming a government that will reflect the entire spectrum of Afghan society, including the Taliban and other ethnic groups, not just Pashtuns - there are Uzbeks, Hazaras, Tajiks. Only such an inclusive government will be able to ensure a sustainable transition already to a new life. If this is discussed, I believe we would be happy to take part in such a ceremony along with other invited countries who have influence in this country," he said, answering a question to TASS.
The Taliban (banned in Russia) have invited Russia, as well as Turkey, China, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar, to attend the event to announce the composition of the new Afghan government, a spokesman for the Taliban told Al Jazeera television channel on Monday.
Forming an inclusive government
Moscow is encouraging measures by Taliban representatives to form an inclusive government, Lavrov said.
"The only thing we want is that we call on our Afghan neighbors to make the process [of government formation] inclusive. So that all ethnic, political groups in the country are involved. And the Taliban, who have now come to power after president [Ashraf] Ghani fled, have declared that they will form just such a government. We are encouraging them in every way possible. I hope that this will be the case," said the foreign minister.
He added that it is up to the Afghan people to make a decision in this process.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS