Taliban Ready for Security Talks with Russia, Says Minister

Abdul Manan Omari, the Taliban's Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, announced during his visit to St. Petersburg that the group is ready to discuss expanding security relations with Russia.

Omari stated that the Taliban is waiting for its name to be removed from Russia's list of terrorist organisations.

On Friday, he told Russia's TASS news agency that removing the group's name from Russia's blacklist of terrorist organisations would be a step forward.

Previously, the Russian Foreign Minister had announced that Moscow is considering removing the Taliban from this list. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also stated that establishing relations with the Taliban is necessary.

Omari, who traveled to Russia to attend the 27th St. Petersburg Economic Forum, told TASS news agency that relations with Moscow are based on mutual interests.