Russia welcomes Turkmenistan's contribution to the international efforts to achieve peace in Afghanistan. Today, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated it at the talks with Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov, TASS reports.

"We welcome the contribution that Ashgabat consistently makes to the overall international efforts to achieve peace in and around Afghanistan," he said.

Lavrov stressed that both Moscow and Ashgabat are interested in Afghanistan developing as a peaceful, independent, neutral state, free from terrorist and drug threats.

Six (6) months ago, power changed in Afghanistan. Representatives of the Taliban movement (banned in Russia and a number of other countries) came to power. The mass evacuation of citizens of Western countries and Afghans who collaborated with them began. On the night of August 31, the US military finally left Kabul airport, ending almost 20 years of American presence in Afghanistan.

On September 6, 2021, the composition of the Interim Government of Afghanistan was announced. Turkmenistan expressed readiness for dialogue and interaction with new state bodies for the benefit of peace in the neighboring country. It should be added that Turkmenistan has already sent Humanitarian Aid twice to Afghanistan after the change of power in the country. In addition, Ashgabat did not stop energy supplying at preferential prices to Herat and the northern provinces of Afghanistan.