03:50Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on Western nations to 'bear their responsibility for the post-conflict reconstruction' of Afghanistan at the sixth meeting of the Moscow format consultations on the future of the country on Friday.
"Washington and its allies, while proclaiming their commitment to international support for the Afghans, are in fact obstructing the revival of the Afghan state. Ignoring the criticism of the international community, the United States continues to illegally withhold Afghanistan's national assets and maintains harsh sanctions against the country's banking sector," Lavrov added.
The diplomat also said it was unacceptable for third countries to have military infrastructure or place new facilities in Afghanistan.
"We support the active stance of the Afghan authorities in containing the terrorist threat. It is particularly valuable that, even in the most difficult economic situation, the country's authorities are quite effective in combating the Islamic State, whose elements regularly organise attacks on Afghan territory," the minister continued.
The US and others have imposed sanctions on the country while the Biden administration froze $7bn from the country’s central bank following the Taliban takeover after the 2021 withdrawal.
The sixth meeting of the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan was held with the participation of representatives of Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Discussions focus on Afghan national reconciliation and the development of political, economic, counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics co-operation between the countries of the region and Kabul.
Russia urges Washington to 'bear responsibility' for Afghanistan's post-conflict reconstruction - Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on Western nations to 'bear their responsibility for the post-conflict reconstruction' of Afghanistan at the sixth meeting of the Moscow format consultations on the future of the country on Friday.
"Washington and its allies, while proclaiming their commitment to international support for the Afghans, are in fact obstructing the revival of the Afghan state. Ignoring the criticism of the international community, the United States continues to illegally withhold Afghanistan's national assets and maintains harsh sanctions against the country's banking sector," Lavrov added.
The diplomat also said it was unacceptable for third countries to have military infrastructure or place new facilities in Afghanistan.
"We support the active stance of the Afghan authorities in containing the terrorist threat. It is particularly valuable that, even in the most difficult economic situation, the country's authorities are quite effective in combating the Islamic State, whose elements regularly organise attacks on Afghan territory," the minister continued.
The US and others have imposed sanctions on the country while the Biden administration froze $7bn from the country’s central bank following the Taliban takeover after the 2021 withdrawal.
The sixth meeting of the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan was held with the participation of representatives of Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Discussions focus on Afghan national reconciliation and the development of political, economic, counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics co-operation between the countries of the region and Kabul.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on Western nations to 'bear their responsibility for the post-conflict reconstruction' of Afghanistan at the sixth meeting of the Moscow format consultations on the future of the country on Friday.
"Washington and its allies, while proclaiming their commitment to international support for the Afghans, are in fact obstructing the revival of the Afghan state. Ignoring the criticism of the international community, the United States continues to illegally withhold Afghanistan's national assets and maintains harsh sanctions against the country's banking sector," Lavrov added.
The diplomat also said it was unacceptable for third countries to have military infrastructure or place new facilities in Afghanistan.
"We support the active stance of the Afghan authorities in containing the terrorist threat. It is particularly valuable that, even in the most difficult economic situation, the country's authorities are quite effective in combating the Islamic State, whose elements regularly organise attacks on Afghan territory," the minister continued.
The US and others have imposed sanctions on the country while the Biden administration froze $7bn from the country’s central bank following the Taliban takeover after the 2021 withdrawal.
The sixth meeting of the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan was held with the participation of representatives of Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Discussions focus on Afghan national reconciliation and the development of political, economic, counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics co-operation between the countries of the region and Kabul.