Russian ambassador to Kabul, Andrey Ayestisyan, expressed his country is willing to play in the economic sector and rejoin hands with Afghan government in the development projects.
Mr. Ayestisyan said that the ongoing situation especially in the areas of terrorism and narcotics in northern Afghanistan has direct effects on Russia.
“The threat of narcotics and terrorism should be fought through reconstruction, security and revitalizing Afghanistan’s economy,” said the Russian ambassador.
He expressed in his talking to journalists on Saturday that the company which had constructed the Salang Tunnel 40 years ago is ready to restart work on the tunnel and improve it.
Oil and petroleum institutions in Mazar are in their list of priorities. He said that insecurity is a major hindrance in Russian investment in Afghanistan.
The Russian ambassador said Afghanistan and Russia were friendly partners since his country recognized Afghanistan in 1919.
The former Soviet Union had good relations with Afghanistan before December 1979 but war started in Afghanistan after Soviet forces attacked Afghanistan resulting in fighting and insecurity.
Most of the Afghans consider the promotion of communism against Islam by the former USSR as a main cause of war. Observers are of the opinion that this time the Russian assistance would not be in line of Russia but for restoring peace to Afghanistan.
