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Lavrov has no plans to visit Afghanistan — diplomat

A Russian diplomat notes the Afghan side demonstrates interest in developing ties with Russia

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Russia’s Foreign Ministry says four-party Afghan talks failed

MOSCOW, September 13. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is not planning to pay a visit to Afghanistan, a senior Russian diplomat said on Tuesday.

"A visit takes place when there is a necessity in solving concrete, practical tasks," Zamir Kabulov, Russian president’s envoy for Afghanistan and director of the Russian foreign ministry’s second Asia department, said. "So far, we don’t have such an agenda."

According to Kabulov, the Afghan side demonstrates interest in developing ties with Russia. "The Afghan police and army ask to be supplied with Russian weapons, not only helicopters, but also tanks and artillery," he said, adding that in case such supplies are organized it would be expedient to look at training Afghan personnel to use such weapons.

Apart from that, Afghanistan is interested in civil projects as well. "Afghanistan is interested in a wide range of Russian-made products. In the raw material sector, they include oil and petrochemicals, gasoline, etc.," he noted.

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