Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has traveled to Russia to attend the “Moscow Format” meeting.
According to the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is the first time he is participating as an official member of the format, and he will discuss the expansion of Afghanistan’s relations with regional countries.
Moscow hosted the 6th meeting of the Moscow Format of Consultations on Afghanistan with the participation of special representatives and senior officials from Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi took part in the event as the main guest.
The Moscow format of consultations is the most influential multilateral platform where regional countries coordinate their practical approaches to the Afghan peace settlement.
During the meeting, the sides unanimously reaffirmed their support for Afghanistan’s development as an independent, unified and peaceful state. They expressed their readiness to assist Kabul in counter-terrorism and anti-drug efforts.
The meeting participants indicated their interest in developing regional infrastructure projects involving Afghanistan and noted the promising nature of economic and trade exchanges and investment cooperation with Kabul.
The sides noted the significance of international humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, emphasising that it must not be politically motivated.
Zia Ahmad Takal, head of public relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Afghanistan, said: “The country’s foreign minister is participating for the first time as an official member in the Moscow Format meeting. He is expected to present Afghanistan’s perspective and position among the member countries regarding the expansion of Afghanistan’s relations with the region.”
The “Moscow Format” meeting will be held tomorrow, October 7, and is considered one of the most significant regional and international gatherings, focusing on economic, security, and diplomatic cooperation among regional countries.
The Moscow Format is a diplomatic initiative by Russia that has been held since 2017. The seventh round of this meeting, hosted by Russia, will take place at the level of special representatives and senior officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and nine other countries.
The Russian Foreign Ministry had previously announced that on the sidelines of this meeting, Amir Khan Muttaqi would meet with Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, to discuss bilateral cooperation.
