Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister in the interim government established by the radical Taliban (banned in Russia) following their seizure of power in Afghanistan, is scheduled to travel to Russia on Monday. He will participate in the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan, which will take place in Kazan. This information was shared by Zamir Kabulov, the Russian President's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Director of the Foreign Ministry's Second Asia Department, in an interview with TASS.
"Yes, he will be arriving today," Kabulov confirmed in response to the question.
However, US representatives were neither invited nor included in the plans for the meeting as observers, according to the diplomat. Kabulov explained that the expanded "troika" format for Afghanistan involving the United States was no longer operational. "In its place, we have the four countries - Russia, China, Pakistan, and Iran. This format will be in effect for the time being. We will assess the situation going forward," he added.
Kabulov also noted that Russia anticipates regional countries participating in the Kazan meeting to reaffirm their commitment to establishing an ethnically diverse and politically inclusive government in Afghanistan, as well as to enhance efforts against ongoing threats like terrorism and narcotics.
The Moscow format meeting on Afghanistan is scheduled for September 29 in Kazan. Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova mentioned that the meeting will address the current situation in Afghanistan, inter-Afghan reconciliation, regional security, and the post-conflict reconstruction of the country. She also indicated that a joint statement from the participating parties is expected to be issued at the conclusion of the event.
The Moscow format for Afghanistan includes Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The previous meeting was held in November 2022.
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Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS