Kazakhstan Strikes Out Taliban From Terrorist Organization List

Illustration of high-ranking Taliban. (Twitter/@suhailshaeen1)

"JAKARATA - Kazakhstan removed the Afghan Taliban movement from the list of terrorist organizations," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Aybek Smadiyarov.

In an interview with Kazakh news agency, Kazinform on Friday, Smadiyarov confirmed the Taliban were not registered with a terrorist organization issued by the UN Security Council.

"Kazakhstan often audits the list of terrorist organizations banned in this republic for renewal. As part of this process, we have decided to cross out the Taliban according to what the United Nations has done," he said, quoting Antara, Sunday.

Thus, according to UN Security Council's binding resolution, the Taliban is not on the list of organizations classified by the UN Security Council as terrorists, he continued.

For this reason, deeper relations between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan will be built based on the UN's stance and the resolution of the General Assembly and the UN Security Council, said Smadiyarov.

Commenting on Kazakhstan's move, Russia's Foreign Ministry said the decision could have a positive impact on dialogue between Kazakh and Afghan authorities while strengthening mutual trust, including joint efforts to maintain regional security, combat terrorism and narcotics crimes.

"This decision will also encourage the release of Afghanistan from international isolation and deeper integration into global political and economic processes, as well as an opportunity for humanitarian support for the Afghan population," Russia said.

Russia hopes this step can facilitate efforts to reconcile between Afghans and contribute to the stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan.

The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021 after two decades of armslifting.