Putin, Draghi Discussed Afghanistan Ahead Of G20 Summit - Kremlin

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd September, 2021) Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi held a phone conversation on the Afghan problematic in the context of the upcoming G20 summit, emphasizing the need to launch an inter-Afghan dialogue, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

"A special focus was made on Afghanistan's post-conflict reconstruction, including in the context of the activities of G20, which Italy chairs this year. In this context, they discussed the problematic of the upcoming summit ... They emphasized the importance of establishing an inter-Afghan dialogue taking into account the interests of all groups," the Kremlin said in a statement.

Putin and Draghi reaffirmed commitment to cooperate on preventing risks associated with terrorism, extremism and drug crime, the statement read.

Putin briefed the Italian minister on the results of the recent summits of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, held in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe, the Kremlin added.

Putin and Draghi also discussed efforts against the coronavirus pandemic, according to the statement.