Taliban FM to be ‘chief guest’ in Russia-hosted Afghanistan talks

Islamabad, Pakistan — Russia is set to convene a meeting of regional countries on Friday to discuss, among other issues, the expansion of "practical interaction" with Taliban-governed Afghanistan in political, economic, counterterrorism and counternarcotics areas.  Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will participate as the "chief guest” in what will be the sixth round of the "Moscow Format” of consultations on Afghanistan, reported Maria Zakharova, the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson, on the eve of the gathering.