The Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Emirate said that the ambassador of Azerbaijan gave a document to acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi expressing Azerbaijan's intent to open an embassy in Kabul.

The ministry in a statement said that Amir Khan Muttaqi welcomed the decision and said opening the embassy and sending an ambassador by Azerbaijan is a key development in building relations between Kabul and Baku.

“Azerbaijan is a key country in the region and wants to begin its diplomatic relations with the Islamic Emirate and we welcome the decision. We also want the embassies of both countries to be operative,” said Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.

The foreign ministry of Azerbaijan has not yet commented on opening an embassy or sending an ambassador to Kabul.

The Islamic Emirate’s foreign ministry statement said that Ilham Mohammadov, the Azerbaijani diplomat, in his meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed interest in strengthening relations between the two countries.

“Now, although strengthening economic relations is a good move, they are not important in diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and other countries,” said Najiburahman Shamal, political and international relations analyst.

“Opening embassies in Kabul is an achievement, this will particularly benefit those Afghans who are doing business with other countries,” said Amnullah Hotaki, a political analyst.

Earlier, the Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir said that 17 embassies of the Islamic Emirate are currently operating in different countries, but no country has recognized the current caretaker government in Afghanistan.