FM Atmar to discuss bilateral relations, Afghan peace with his Russian counterpart

Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammed Haneef Atmar will visit Moscow, the capital of Russia to meet with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry said at her weekly briefing on Thursday, “On February 24-27, 2021, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammed Haneef Atmar will visit Moscow for talks with his Russian colleague Sergey Lavrov and other officials.”

Atmar would discuss various aspects of bilateral relations, including trade and economic ties, as well as peaceful settlement in Afghanistan and the need to counter the threats of terrorism and drug trafficking, Zakharova said.

“Russia lays emphasis on the promotion of national reconciliation in Afghanistan and the cessation of the long-standing armed conflict in the country,” she said.

“We are consistently advocating for the development of Afghanistan as a peaceful, independent, and neutral state, free of terrorism and drugs, and having good relations with its neighbors, the other countries in the region, and the rest of the world,” Zakharova noted.