Kazakhstan has decided to remove the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations, according to a report by the presidential press service, Dagens reports.
"Kazakhstan has removed the Taliban regime from the terrorist list, based on the importance of developing trade and economic cooperation with modern Afghanistan and the understanding that this regime is a long-term factor," stated President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Tokayev made this announcement during a meeting with the speakers of the parliaments of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member countries.
He emphasized that actively involving Afghanistan in interregional relations is a strategic priority.
On May 27, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice reported to President Vladimir Putin that the Taliban could be removed from the list of terrorist organizations, a suggestion later supported by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The following day, President Putin stated that it was necessary to build relations with the Taliban, adding, "these are the people who control the country."
The Taliban have been designated as a terrorist group in Russia since March 2003, following a decision by the UN Security Council and the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation.
In 2021, the Taliban took control of the entire territory of Afghanistan. Western countries have not recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.
