Afghan leader says Russia 'important partner,' seeks closer ties
12:17 21/01/2011 MOSCOW, January 21 (RIA Novosti) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai pledged on Friday to advance economic ties with Russia saying Moscow is an "important partner."
Karzai arrived in Moscow on a two-day visit during which he is to meet with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev to discuss bilateral cooperation, including joint efforts to counter drug trafficking in Central Asia.
"Russia is a great political, economic and military power. In the past years our bilateral relations have significantly strengthened," Karzai said at a meeting with Russian students at the Diplomatic Academy in Moscow.
"We see Russia as a neighbor and important partner and want to develop good ties with this partner," Karzai said.
The Afghan leader said Kabul was seeking to develop economic cooperation with Russia and to attract Russian business. He marked an increase in bilateral trade which last year reached some $500 million.
Karzai said Russia was also an important partner in Afghanistan's efforts to curb the notorious drug trade.
Afghan drug production increased dramatically after the U.S.-led invasion toppled the Taliban in 2001, and Russia has been one of the most affected countries, with heroin consumption rising steeply.
An estimated 90% of heroin consumed in Russia is trafficked from Afghanistan via Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
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