MOSCOW. Oct 27 (Interfax) - Afghanistan has a real chance to return to the global stage as a peaceful country under the new authorities, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"A new administration has taken office in Kabul. This is the objective reality. The country has a real opportunity - although it is hard to attain - to return to the global stage as a responsible and peaceful country," Lavrov said at a meeting of Afghanistan's neighbors, namely, Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
"The declared aspiration of the new Afghan authorities to achieve military-political stabilization, to include representatives of ethnic minorities and political forces in the provisional government, and to hold universal elections commands respect," he said.
Moscow "notes the effort to resume the operation of government agencies, to create a regular army, and to ensure security of foreign diplomatic missions," Lavrov said.