Afghan Embassy in Moscow handed over to new diplomat

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghan Embassy in Moscow was handed over to appointed diplomat. Spokesperson of foreign ministry announced on Saturday.

"The MoFA of IEA expresses gratitude to government of the Russian Federation for accrediting the Afghan diplomat & facilitating the role of the Afghan Embassy in ensuring bilateral relations & providing timely services to its citizens in Russia." Spokesman Qahar Balkhis said in a tweet late Saturday night.

As the legitimate government of Afghanistan, the IEA is entitled to managing Afghan political missions abroad & engaging responsibly with the world. He added.

Meanwhile Russia says that accrediting the first Taliban-appointed diplomat is an important step in the resumption of diplomatic contacts with Afghanistan, Russia says.

But accepting the diplomat nominated by the interim government in Kabul does not amount to the recognition of the Taliban administration, says the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news conference: “It is too early to talk about the recognition of the Taliban government in Afghanistan.”

Jamal Garwal would take over as Afghanistan’s charge d’affaires in Moscow within days, TASS news agency reported on April 4.

He will be heading the embassy. Earlier, the Taliban sacked Ambassador Said Tayeb Jawad, who had been appointed by the previous administration.

Apart from Russia, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and China have also accredited diplomats named by the Islamic Emirate.

JHK