WASHINGTON D.C., April 15 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and Afghanistan could sign an agreement until late May on settling the Afghan debt to the former Soviet Union, which is estimated at $10 billion, a senior official of Russia's finance ministry said Sunday.
Afghanistan's debt to the former Soviet Union largely accrued due to the delivery of Soviet weaponry to the country.
"I believe we'll be able to sign an agreement ... which will stipulate large debt write-off," Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak said at a spring session of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, commenting on the results of his meeting with the Afghan finance minister.
Russia is expected to write off 80-90% of Afghanistan's debt under agreements reached as part of the Paris Club of Creditor Nations in July 2006. The move will help Russia raise its international prestige.
