Atmar off to Moscow for talks on enhanced cooperation

Foreign Minister Haneef Atmar on Wednesday departed for Moscow on an official visit in response to an invitation from his Russian counterpart.

During his three-day trip, Atmar would meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other officials on issues of common interest, including regional stability, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said.

The two sides will discuss the expansion of bilateral relations, boosting international support for the Afghan peace process and enhanced bilateral cooperation on combating terrorism and organised crime in the region.

Earlier in the month, a spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry in Moscow said the visiting minister would also confer on trade cooperation with Russian officials.

A peaceful settlement to the war in Afghanistan and the need for countering the threats of terrorism and drug trafficking would also be discussed, Zakharova told a news briefing.

She added Russia supported the promotion of national reconciliation in Afghanistan and the cessation of the long-standing armed conflict in that country.