Kabul: Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan's (IEA) Permanent Representative-designate to United Nations and Head Political Office Mohammad Suhail Shaheen has said that we welcome the rational and forward-looking decision to lift ban on IEA made by the Supreme Court of Russia.In a statement issued on Thursday Mohammad Suhail Shaheen said that this step was not only timely but also critically needed for paving the way toward the expansion of bilateral cooperation and the strengthening of ties between the two countries. It is imperative for both sides to work earnestly to eliminate all barriers that hinder the development of relationship-doing so not as a temporary measure, but as a lasting and sustainable commitment. The focus should now shift toward identifying areas of mutual interest and taking concrete, practical steps to have tangible outcomes.Mohammad Suhail Shaheen said that we remain hopeful that the coming years will bear witness to a deepening of ties between the two important countries of the region. Looking forward to seeing this will serve as a foundation for a new chapter of mutually beneficial relations, Mohammad Suhail Shaheen concluded.