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Russia ready for close cooperation with Afghanistan’s new government — Lavrov

"We want Afghanistan to overcome the hardships and challenges it has had to face lately. We will do everything to help stabilise your country," Lavrov said

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Sergei Fadeichev/TASS

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

© Sergei Fadeichev/TASS

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MOSCOW, June 4. /TASS/. Russia is ready to work with Afghanistan's government in Kabul across all areas of activity, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

Speaking to Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani on sidelines of a conference on security and stability in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) region, Lavrov said:

"Our countries have a long-standing good relationship. We cherish our history. We want Afghanistan to overcome the hardships and challenges it has had to face lately. We will do everything to help stabilise your country."

"As far as we understand, it has become possible to form a government of national unity," Lavrov added. "We confirm our readiness to closely cooperate with Afghanistan's leadership in all spheres."

Russia’s top diplomat noted that SCO members - Russia, China and the Central Asian former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - gathering in Moscow had expressed solidarity with the Afghan people.

"I am sure this support will be provided in various areas," he said, adding: "Particular attention has been paid to economic stabilisation and the search for new growth points alongside higher efficiency in the fight against terrorism and the drug trafficking that breeds it.".

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Foreign policy Sergey Lavrov Afghanistan

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