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Russia may open more consulates in Afghanistan, ambassador says

There is no need for this but nothing can be ruled out in the future, Russian Ambassador to Kabul said

MOSCOW, July 20. /TASS/. Moscow does not rule out opening more consulates in Afghanistan in the future, Russian Ambassador to Kabul Dmitry Zhirnov said in an interview with TASS.

"So far, there is no need for this but nothing can be ruled out in the future. Russia and Afghanistan established diplomatic relations in 1919; back then, apart from the embassy in Kabul and a consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif, we also opened consulates in Herat and Maymana, and planned to open a consulate in Jalalabad," he said in response to a question.

Zhirnov also reiterated the Foreign Ministry’s recommendation that Russian nationals refrain from visiting Afghanistan for private purposes due to the tense security situation in the country. "In May, militants from ISIL (the old name of the Islamic State terror group outlawed in Russia - TASS) attacked a group of foreign tourists at a market in the capital of the Bamyan Province. Three Spaniards were killed, while Australian, Spanish, Lithuanian and Norwegian nationals suffered wounds," the envoy noted.

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