Former President Hamid Karzai met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Tuesday.

Karzai is in Russia for the Moscow International Security Conference which is aimed at tackling terrorism.  

Karzai’s office said on Wednesday that the former president and Lavrov discussed Afghanistan and regional security. Karzai also thanked Russia for its cooperation and for hosting the recent conference in Moscow on Afghanistan.

Karzai said he hoped Russia’s efforts in helping to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan will continue and that these will eventually lead to direct talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government.

Karzai said that Afghanistan needs to become a center of cooperation as in the past among countries and not a country where nations confront each other.

Karzai called on Russia to increase and continue its cooperation in terms of helping to strengthen the Afghan government, the statement added.

Meanwhile in return Lavrov, welcomed Karzai and promised that Russia will continue its efforts to help bring peace to Afghanistan, the statement said.

Abdul Qayoum Kochai, Afghanistan's ambassador to Moscow, former foreign minister Zarar Ahmad Osmani and Abdul Karim Khuram were also present at the meeting.

Ten days ago, Karzai met with Russian ambassador to Afghanistan Alexander Mantytskiy.

During this meeting the ambassador briefed Karzai on the outcomes of the Moscow regional conference.

Karzai thanked Russia for its efforts and expressed hope that Moscow and other major powers will step up efforts for peace in Afghanistan.

During the meeting, Karzai said that Intra-Afghan talks is one solution to end the war and bring long lasting peace to the country, Karzai’s office said at the time.

This meeting came after Shakib Mustaghni, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), said that Russia has shown its willingness to host peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.