Russia has become the first country to formally recognize the government of the Taliban in Afghanistan since it took power in 2021, after Moscow has removed the group from the list of forbidden organizations.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the login information had received from the newly appointed ambassador Gulan Hassan in Afghanistan.
The official recognition of the Afghan government will promote “productive bilateral cooperation”, the ministry said in a statement.
The Foreign Ministry of Afghanistan called it a historic step and quoted the Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi who welcomed the decision as “a good example for other countries”.
“This brave decision will be an example for others … Now that the recognition process has begun, Russia was ahead of everyone,”
Said Mr. Muttaqi.
He said it was “a new phase of positive relationships, mutual respect and constructive involvement”.
Taliban wipes back to power
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021 after the withdrawal of American and NATO troops.
Since then they have sought international recognition and at the same time enforce their strict interpretation of Islamic law.
The Islamic emirate of the flag of Afghanistan hangs on the Afghan embassy in Moscow. ((Reuters: Maxim Shemetov))
Although no country had formally recognized the Taliban government so far, the group had a high level group with many countries and a number of diplomatic ties with countries such as China and the United Arab Emirates.
Yet the Taliban government is relatively isolated on the world stage, largely about its limitations on women.
Although the Taliban initially promised a more moderate rule than during their first power stint from 1996 to 2001, it started shortly after the takeover of 2021 to force limitations for women and girls.
Women are excluded from most jobs and public places, including parks, baths and gyms, while girls are prohibited from education after the sixth grade.
Russian officials recently emphasized the need to get in touch with the Taliban to help Afghanistan stabilize and in April a ban on the Taliban lifted.
In July 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Taliban “allies in the fight against terrorism”.
The Russian ambassador in Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, said that the decision to officially recognize the Taliban government was taken by President Vladimir Putin on the advice of Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov.
Mr. Zhirnov said that the decision proves that Russia proves “sincere striving for the development of full -fledged relations with Afghanistan.”
AP/AFP
#Russia #country #recognize #Taliban #government