Mullah Abdul Ghani Beradar Akhund, met with the Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan

Feb 13, 2022

The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Beradar Akhund, met with the Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, in his office. During the meeting, both sides discussed political, economic, and other important issues. Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan said that Russia has good relations with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and wants to expand these relations.

He added that Russia is interested to invest in Afghanistan in the fields of building dams, mining, extending railways and other major economic projects. Dmitry Zhirnov said that in the near future they will send a delegation led by Zamir Kabulov to Kabul on an official visit, the delegation will include members from various sectors. He added that the delegation will discuss two important issues, one of which is investing in key areas as per your request and need, and the other is economic issues. The visit may take place on February 21 or 22 in coordination with the officials of the Islamic Emirate.

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Beradar Akhund, thanked Russia for its interest in investing in key economic sectors in Afghanistan, adding that they had recently visited Russia with the invitation of Russian officials and the trip was full of achievements.

First Deputy PM said they had important meetings in Moscow with Russian officials on various economic issues, including investment, security issues, the political situation and the fight against terrorism and ISIS. "The Russian government is concerned about the presence of ISIS in Afghanistan and the growing number of its members and activities," Mullah Beradar Akhund said. He added that the Islamic Emirate assures them of complete security and are committed to fight. "We have asked Russia for the supply of some military equipment to fight ISIS and terrorism, and the Russian authorities have responded positively," he added.

First Deputy PM, said that they had good relations with Russia during their dialogues with the United States in Qatar and that Russia had good cooperation with the Islamic Emirate in political and media matters. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seeks to maintain and strengthen these ties now and in the future. According to Mr. Beradar, they are working hard to alleviate the concerns of all countries, including Russia, and have been largely successful in doing so. The First Deputy PM in response to the Russian Ambassador’s question on whether the Islamic Emirate will allow the senior members of the previous government, some of whom have recently returned, such as Ashraf Ghani's senior adviser on peace, Salam Rahimi, to be part of the Islamic Emirates. Mr. Beradar said that, the leaders of the previous government and those close to Ashraf Ghani in the past were all involved in corruption and are infamous among the people, so they would never share their government with them. First Deputy PM added that Afghans who went outside the country can come back to Afghanistan without any fear because the Islamic Emirate will protect their lives and property.

Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, said that Moscow is ready to organize an international conference on national reconciliation among Afghans in coordination with the Islamic Emirate in the near future. But in response, Mullah Abdul Ghani Beradar Akhund said that Afghanistan's great crisis, which was the United States and its allies’ occupation, is over and that there are no more talks on Afghanistan's security and political situation. First Deputy PM added that every Afghan can live in peace in Afghanistan under the rule of the Islamic Emirate.

At the end of the meeting, it was emphasized by both sides that discussions on investment in various sectors in Afghanistan and the fight against ISIS will be held in the near future by professional and technical teams and relevant ministries.