Russia boosts cooperation with Taliban government, says US should help rebuild Afghanistan

Afghan delegation received Russian delegation (right) in Kabul on November 25.

TASS news agency on November 26 quoted Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu telling Afghan Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed Abdul Kabir that Moscow intends to develop cooperation with Kabul in many areas.

Mr. Shoigu visited Afghanistan on November 25 and met with the country's top leaders. During four rounds of talks, he discussed economic, transport and security issues with the Taliban-controlled Kabul government.

"We intend to develop bilateral cooperation between Russia and Afghanistan in various areas. I confirm our readiness to establish a constructive political dialogue between the two countries, including with the aim of promoting the internal Afghan settlement process," Shoigu said.

Russian delegation at the meeting in Kabul on November 25

According to him, the Russian side believes that the establishment of Afghanistan as a stable and independent state is in the interests of all countries in the region. He pointed out that for this purpose, Russia will continue to support Kabul's integration into regional structures and associations.

“This step will not only allow to establish an effective dialogue on issues of countering challenges and threats to security, such as terrorism, drug trafficking, but also to strengthen trade and economic cooperation,” Shoigu stressed.

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In addition, according to Reuters, Mr. Shoigu said that the US should shoulder the responsibility to help rebuild Afghanistan, after withdrawing troops from the country in 2021 after 20 years. "In my opinion, the US should be the main investor in rebuilding Afghanistan," he said.

The US did not immediately comment on Mr. Shoigu's remarks.

For his part, Afghanistan's Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the economy, Abdul Ghani Baradar, said that the Taliban government needs Russia's help to ease the burden of Western sanctions.

"We have tried to ensure conditions for growth in Afghanistan's commodity exports and growth in foreign investment," he said.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nga-tang-cuong-hop-tac-voi-chinh-quyen-taliban-noi-my-nen-giup-tai-thiet-afghanistan-18524112610251727.htm