KABUL (Pajhwok): The head of the Russian Business Center in Afghanistan has proposed the abolition of visa requirements between Russia and Afghanistan.
According to Russian media reports, Rustam Khabibullin made the proposal ahead of the 2026 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
Khabibullin said relations between Moscow and Kabul are expanding rapidly and that easing travel procedures for businesspeople and tourists would be a logical next step in strengthening bilateral ties.
Referring to recent developments in relations between the two countries, he noted that Afghanistan’s ambassador presented his credentials to Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this year.
He also said the first meeting of a joint commission between the two sides was held during the Russia–Islamic World Forum in Kazan.
According to Khabibullin, the first agreement on military and technical cooperation between Afghanistan and Russia was signed during an international security forum organized under the auspices of Russia’s Security Council.
He said eliminating visa requirements could help boost trade and tourism, strengthen economic cooperation, and open access to new markets for both countries.
Khabibullin added that such a move would be particularly beneficial for the Republic of Tatarstan, home to several of Russia’s major export-oriented companies.
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