Afghanistan and Russia agreed to work toward expanding economic ties, including in trade, transit, energy and mining, during talks in Moscow between Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk.

Muttaqi said political ties between the two countries were developing positively and urged Moscow to translate that understanding into greater economic cooperation, Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry said.

He called for increased bilateral trade, improved transit and regional connectivity, and more Russian investment in Afghanistan. He also urged cooperation in energy and mining and the creation of banking and payment mechanisms to facilitate trade.

Overchuk said Russia was ready to expand economic cooperation and that conditions were favorable for moving toward practical projects, according to the ministry.

He identified transit, transport and energy as areas for joint work and said bilateral trade had increased significantly over the past year.

Overchuk expressed confidence that economic cooperation would become more substantive in the near future.

The talks come as Afghanistan seeks to strengthen regional trade and attract investment, while Russia has expanded its engagement with Afghanistan's Islamic Emirate authorities.

Russia formally recognized the new Afghan government in July, becoming the first country to do so. (ILKHA)