Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that representatives from Russia, Iran, China, and Pakistan met in Moscow a day before the seventh round of the Moscow Format consultations on Afghanistan.
The ministry said the meeting focused on preparations for the upcoming session, including the drafting of the format’s final communiqué.
Sources told Afghanistan International that the four countries also discussed opposing the establishment of any foreign military bases inside Afghanistan, a topic expected to feature prominently in the main meeting.
According to the sources, participants included Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq; Iran’s representative for Afghan affairs, Reza Bahrami; China’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong; and an official from Russia’s Foreign Ministry.
The seventh Moscow Format meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 7 October. For the first time, a delegation led by Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will attend as an official member.
The sixth round of the Moscow Format was held on 4 October last year, bringing together special envoys and senior officials from Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Muttaqi participated in that session as a guest.
During the previous meeting, participants urged the Taliban to establish a balanced, inclusive, and effective government that guarantees the fundamental rights and interests of all Afghans, including women, girls, and ethnic minorities.
