IEA attending St. Petersburg Economic Forum

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) will attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Moscow says.

Russian Special Presidential Representative for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov repudiated reports that IEA would stay away from the forum, slated for June 5-8.

TASS quoted him as saying: “I think this (report) is pure fiction,” the diplomat said. The IEA labour minister would participate in the event, he explained.

Acting Minister Mullah Abdul Manan Omari’s meetings with Russian representatives were being firmed up, the diplomat said, without going into details.

Meanwhile, IEA spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed to the Russian media outlet that a delegation led by the labour minister would take part in SPIEF.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on May 27 the initiative to delist IEA as a terrorist outfit reflected an awareness of reality.

PAN Monitor/mud