Putin: Establishing ties with IEA necessary

KABUL (Pajhwok): Russia President Vladimir Putin says building relations with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) is necessary.

Speaking to reporters in Tashkent, Putin said officials of the current caretaker government were the people who controlled the country and its territory.

"Afghanistan has issues; they are undeniable and well-known to all. The issue how to establish ties with the current power is another question.

“Yet they must be established somehow, these are the people who control the country and its territory, they are the current authority in Afghanistan," TASS quoted him as saying.

"We need to proceed from reality and build relations accordingly," Putin explained.

Meanwhile, IEA spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Pajhwok Afghan News the stance of Russian officials was a positive indication of interaction with the caretaker government.

He said the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan had established good diplomatic relations with Moscow.

Two days back, Russia’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said his country intended to strengthen the capacity of Afghan law enforcement agencies.

Moscow plans to step up cooperation with Kabul in combating the scourge of global terrorism, says a top Russian diplomat.

sa/mud