The meeting in Moscow of the enlarged "troika" on settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan (Russia, China, the US and Pakistan) and negotiations between the delegations of the parties to the conflict in the republic gave impetus to the inter-Afghan negotiations in Doha. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking at the "Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process" ministerial conference on Afghanistan.
The Minister drew attention to the fact that Russia, together with regional and international partners, is actively working to settle the situation in Afghanistan. He reminded that another round of consultations within the framework of the expanded "troika" with the participation of Russia, China, USA and Pakistan as well as representatives of Afghan authorities, Afghan politicians, representatives of the Taliban movement (banned in Russia) and honorary guests from Qatar and Turkey took place in Moscow on March 18.
"We assume that the discussion between the Afghan delegations has given an additional impetus to the negotiation process in Doha," Lavrov said, the text of the statement posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry website.
Surge of military activity
Lavrov said the military-political situation in Afghanistan remains alarming, and a seasonal surge of military activity cannot be ruled out.
"Afghanistan is going through a difficult stage of its development. The military and political situation in this country remains very alarming. Terrorist attacks occur regularly, and a seasonal surge of military activity cannot be ruled out," the Minister said.
"In this regard, it seems necessary to make maximum efforts to reduce the level of violence," Lavrov said.
According to the Russian Foreign Minister, certain results have been achieved in this direction. In particular, he continued, the Russian Federation considers the cessation of hostilities between the United States and the Taliban movement, as well as the launch of direct inter-Afghan contacts in Doha in 2020 to be important milestones on the way to ending the armed conflict. "We are firmly convinced: based on the successes achieved, it is necessary to move further towards finding a solution to the issues of national reconciliation and the formation of broadly representative authorities as soon as possible," the Minister added.
Lavrov also stressed that Russia has always been in favor of establishing Afghanistan as an independent and self-sufficient state, free of terrorism and drugs. "We sincerely wish a speedy achievement of sustainable peace on Afghan soil and the opening of a new page in the country's history," he concluded.
Help in the fight against the pandemic
Lavrov said Russia intends to continue supplying humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in the face of the pandemic.
"In 2020, the region, the world as a whole, faced a new dangerous challenge - a pandemic of coronavirus infection. Under these conditions, Russia provided Afghanistan with targeted humanitarian aid. In June and November last year, personal protective equipment and medical supplies were delivered and donated. More than 300 tons of food supplies were sent in November and December 2020. We will continue this assistance," the Minister noted.
"Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process" is a regional Afghan-Turkish initiative launched in 2011. This format is a platform for political dialogue and regional cooperation to promote stability, peace and prosperity both in Afghanistan and throughout the region. Other members include Russia, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates. This year, Dushanbe is chairing the organization.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS