A delegation from the political office of the Taliban (banned in Russia) at consultations in Moscow with Russian Presidential Special Representative for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov assured that they would not violate the borders of Central Asian states, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
"Assurances were received from the Taliban regarding the group's non-violation of the borders of Central Asian states, as well as guarantees of the security of diplomatic and consular missions of foreign states on the territory of Afghanistan," the diplomatic office pointed out.
"The Foreign Ministry also stressed the group's firm determination to fight the threat of ISIS in Afghanistan and eradicate drug production in the country after the end of the civil war," the ministry added.
Kabulov pointed to the concern of the Russian side about the increasing tension in the northern regions of Afghanistan and urged it not to let it spread beyond the republic.
"During the meeting, they discussed the situation in Afghanistan and the prospects of launching inter-Afghan negotiations. The Russian side expressed concern over the escalation of tension in the northern regions of Afghanistan and urged not to allow it to spread outside the country," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
On July 5, the press center of the Border Troops of Tajikistan's State Committee for National Security reported that 1,037 servicemen of the Afghan government troops had crossed the border and had to retreat during the armed clash with the Taliban. Several such incidents have already occurred over the past two weeks. The press center noted that based on the principle of good neighborliness and non-interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan, the Afghan soldiers were allowed to cross into the territory of Tajikistan.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS