KABUL. Feb 15 (Interfax) - Amir Khan Muttaqi, foreign minister for the Taliban (terrorist organization banned in Russia) in control of Afghanistan, and Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov have discussed bilateral relations, the upcoming UN-led meeting on Afghanistan in Doha, and the Afghan government's participation in this event at a meeting in Kabul, Taliban Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said.
"The Russian ambassador inquired about the Taliban's stance on the upcoming meeting in Doha in order to arrange parallel meetings with Foreign Minister Muttaqi in case the participation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) [this is how the Taliban calls its government] is ensured," the statement said.
According to Muttaqi, the Taliban is in close contact with the respective UN agencies and has expressed its opinion on the possible presence of an IEA delegation at the Doha meeting.
"Foreign Minister Muttaqi said that if there is a chance of substantive high-level consultations between the IEA and the UN on every issue of Afghanistan [...], the Doha meeting will be a good opportunity," Balkhi said.
"Foreign Minister Muttaqi said that if the IEA's terms are not taken into account, the non-participation would be preferable, as the dialogue with all parties to the Doha meeting continues," the statement said.
The Russian ambassador said he understood the position of the Afghan government and would convey it to Moscow, Balkhi said.
An international meeting of special representatives for Afghanistan is due to take place in Doha on February 18-19.