Russia supports NATO mission in Afghanistan

KABUL, saying the campaign was important to ensure the country’s stability.

“At the moment, we believe, the International Security Assistance Force and any other foreign troops’ presence is necessary for assuring safety and stability,” the Russian lower house speaker said.

Speaking to reporters during his visit to Kabul, Sergei Naryshkin said Afghanistan would not need to rely on foreign military support once its security forces grew in skills and capability.

UN Security Council’s approval would be required for a new NATO mission in Afghanistan, he said. “Any agreement is a sovereign right of any state, including Afghanistan,” he acknowledged.

He added: “As far as Afghanistan’s future and an expected NATO mission are concerned, we repeat this mission should strictly comply with international law and be based on a UN Security Council decision.”

The State Duma speaker said that Russia visualised a neutral Afghanistan in the future with no foreign military bases. He looked forward to greater Kabul-Moscow cooperation in the years to come.

At the head of a parliamentary team, he met President Hamid Karzai at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Meshrano Jirga Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi.

The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest, including efforts to counter common threats and boost Afghan-Russia cooperation in diverse fields, a statement from Karzai’s office said.

The visiting speaker briefed the president on his talks with Muslimyar and Ibrahimi. He also conveyed to Karzai best wishes from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Karzai hailed Russia as a close neighbour, having deep ties to Afghanistan. He underlined Russia’s proactive role in regional prosperity and Afghanistan’s stability.

In 2007, former speaker Yunus Qanuni led an Afghan parliamentary team to Russia. During the six-day trip, the 11-member team met his then Russian counterpart Boris Gryzlov and Russia’s Security Council head Igor Ivanov.

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