MOSCOW, July 20. /TASS/. Russia will focus on its own interests in the matter of recognition and exclusion of the Taliban movement (banned in the Russian Federation) from the list of prohibited organizations, Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov said in an interview with TASS.
"The Taliban movement is not on the list of terrorists in every country in the region. In any case, each state proceeds from its own motives and the specifics of its relations with Afghanistan," the diplomat said.
Cooperation between Moscow and Kabul in the supply of oil products has begun
"Such cooperation is already developing at full speed," the diplomat stressed, commenting on statements by the Afghan authorities about their intention to establish cooperation with Russia in the field of food security and the supply of oil products.
The Ambassador also noted that bilateral trade turnover has increased several times. "This happened primarily due to Russia’s supplies of wheat, flour, fuel and lubricants - gasoline, motor oils, kerosene, distillates," he added.
Private air carriers are showing interest in launching direct flights to Russia
"Private Afghan air carrier KamAir is showing interest in launching flights. If necessary, we will help," Zhirnov said.
According to the Ambassador, Russia is one of the few countries that has direct regular flights with Afghanistan. "Afghan state company Ariana flies from Kabul to Sheremetyevo and back once a week," ambassador noted.
Earlier, Russia’s Special Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov told TASS that Russia’s Foreign and Justice Ministries had informed President Vladimir Putin that the Taliban movement could be removed from the list of banned organizations. Later, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that the initiative on the possible removal of the Taliban from the terrorist list reflects objective reality.