Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Ties with Kabul more Vital than Accords: Russian Envoy

Ties with Kabul more Vital  than Accords: Russian Envoy

"Permanent military bases of a foreign country will be a huge threat to the region"

MAZAR-I-SHARIF - Moscow attaches more importance to its historical ties with Kabul than signing a strategic cooperation agreement, the Russian ambassador said on Saturday.
Andrei Avetisyan, who arrived in Mazar-i-Sharif, told a press that Russia should not be seen as lagging behind other nations in signing a strategic cooperation accord with Afghanistan.
Flanked by Governor Atta Mohammad Noor, the ambassador said the federation was still ahead of other countries in terms of bilateral relations with the landlocked country.

He recalled that Russia was the first country that recognised Afghanistan as an independent nation way back in 1919 and diplomatic links between the two were established in that eventful year.
"Signing a paper (agreement) is not more important than our robust relations," Avetisyan said, while opposing a long-term US military presence in Afghanistan.
"Permanent military bases of a foreign country in Afghanistan will be a huge threat not only to Russia, but to the entire region," he cautioned.

The envoy identified insecurity was Afghanistan's main problem that prevented Russia from playing an active part in the economic development of the war-shattered country.
He added that Afghanistan was gripped by challenges such as terrorism, poppy cultivation and drug trade -- something Moscow was deeply concerned about.
But they were trying to extend a helping hand to Kabul in overcoming the challenges, he said, insisting on giving more attention to development projects in Afghanistan.

Avetisyan said Russia was ready to reconstruct projects that the former USSR had initiated in Afghanistan. He explained they were currently assessing two key projects -- Kod wa Barq in Balkh and Salang Tunnel -- for reconstruction.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Atta Mohammad Noor acknowledged Russia's willingness to assist Afghanistan in various fields. He said Russians had implemented such long-term projects that found no match over the last 10 years of reconstruction in Afghanistan.

"Millions of dollars were spent on reconstruction and development projects over the past decade, but no life-time project like Kod wa Barq could be executed," the governor remarked.
Noor renewed his opposition to permanent foreign military bases in Afghanistan, saying that they were not in the interest of the country. He feared if the bases were established, Afghanistan would permanently fall into the hands of powerful countries.

"Afghans should not let foreigners monitor China's economic development from Afghanistan, prevent Iran's uranium enrichment and oversee their former ally, Pakistan, from our soil," he concluded. (Pajhwok)