Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that the deployment of military infrastructure in Afghanistan and its neighboring states by any non-regional countries is unacceptable under any pretext.
Lavrov made the remarks during the 7th meeting of the Moscow Format of Consultations on Afghanistan.
According to Lavrov, the military presence of non-regional forces in Afghanistan will only lead to a turbulent situation and new conflicts.
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi also expressed their firm stance that the Afghan government will not permit the establishment of any foreign military bases on its territory, including the Bagram Airbase.
Located about 50 kilometers north of Kabul, Bagram Airbase served as the main base for U.S. and NATO forces in the country after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.
Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. is seeking to retake the base, warning that if the Afghan side refuses to hand it over, they will face serious consequences.
Military infrastructure deployment by non-regional countries in Afghanistan, neighbors unacceptable: Russian FM
Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged solid efforts to accomplish the objectives and tasks for this year's economic and social development to make a good start in implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan while presiding over a plenary meeting of the State Council in Beijing on Monday.
Li said that since the beginning of this year, China's economy has registered steady growth featuring new momentums and structural improvement.
In the face of problems such as insufficient domestic demand and growing difficulties in some industries and enterprises, Li called for a focus on development goals to continuously push for innovation-driven and high-quality economic development by leveraging existing policies and rolling out new practical and effective policies in a timely manner.
Noting that this year marks the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030), Li emphasized the need to give full play to the plan's guiding role in all areas, urging efforts to maintain steady economic operation and expand domestic demand.
Efforts should be strengthened to advance the construction of water networks, new-type power grids, computing power networks, next-generation communication networks, urban underground pipeline networks and logistics networks, and innovate investment and financing mechanisms to attract social capital, Li said.
Li called for efforts to stabilize external demand and expand the space for mutually beneficial international cooperation in trade and economy.
It is imperative to leverage science and technology to accelerate transition from old to new growth drivers, increase support for emerging pillar industries and future industries, continuously promote the upgrading of traditional industries, and consolidate the foundation for the real economy, Li said.
Li also stressed doing a good job in ensuring and improving people's livelihood, boosting employment, increasing people's incomes, improving public services, carrying out disaster relief, and preventing the resurgence of poverty.
Chinese premier urges efforts to accomplish economic objectives, tasks
