KABUL (Pajhwok): The first meeting of the joint economic and trade commission between Kabul and Moscow was held in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, on the sidelines of the 17th International Economic Forum “Russia and the Islamic World.”
In a statement, the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) said the meeting was chaired by Higher Education Minister Sheikh Neda Mohammad Nadeem in Kazan, capital of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan.
The ministry said the meeting aimed to expand economic, trade and transit cooperation between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) and the Russian Federation, as well as to attract investment.
Nadeem said Afghanistan, as an independent country and an important part of the Islamic world, seeks balanced and positive engagement with the international community.
He said the IEA defines its foreign policy on the basis of Islamic values and mutual respect, adding that Russia’s recognition of the Afghan government is also the result of this approach.
He added that Afghanistan, due to its strategic geographical location, could play a key role as a hub of economic connectivity between Central Asia, South Asia and other regions.
Nadeem noted: “Afghanistan and Russia have entered a new phase of diplomatic relations, which is considered an important step towards positive engagement and strengthening bilateral ties and provides the ground for expanding political, economic and academic cooperation.”
He said: “Today, the world needs dialogue, mutual respect, justice and cooperation based on shared interests more than ever before. We believe security, development and prosperity can only be achieved when countries choose understanding and cooperation instead of confrontation.”
The higher education minister expressed hope that regional cooperation and Russia’s constructive role would help further strengthen and expand bilateral ties between Kabul and Moscow in the future.
Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Alexey Gruzdev also described the commission meeting as important for developing economic, transit and trade investment cooperation between Afghanistan and Russia and expressed hope for positive outcomes.
kk/sa
