By Saadet Gokce
ISTANBUL (AA) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Afghanistan's Taliban administration interim Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi on Wednesday held their first talks since Moscow officially recognized the Taliban government.
The two discussed bilateral trade and regional security — including the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking — as well as economic and humanitarian issues during their first official phone call, according to a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The Afghan Foreign Ministry also said in a statement that they discussed the strengthening of political relations between the two countries moving forward following the recognition.
Muttaqi called the recognition an opportunity for political and economic cooperation between the two countries, as well as an "unprecedented step" toward Afghanistan's "integration into the international community."
Russia officially recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan earlier this month, becoming the only nation to do so.
No UN member state had recognized the interim Taliban administration in Kabul since its return to power in August 2021.
Only a few nations, including China, have accepted an ambassador from the Taliban-led interim administration, while Beijing sent its envoy to Kabul in September 2023.