KABUL, July 5 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan interim government's chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has welcomed the decision of the Russian Federation to recognize the "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan" as the de jure administration of the post-war central Asian state and hopes that other nations will follow suit.

"We are thankful to Russia for this bold decision. We welcome it, and this decision can open a new chapter in relations between Afghanistan and Russia," Mujahid said in an interview with the local media outlet Tolonews on Friday night.

Russia was the first country that formally recognized the Afghan interim government, received the ambassador of the interim government and hoisted its white flag on the Afghanistan embassy building in Moscow.

Mujahid also noted that Russia's decision is "appreciable," saying "we also call on other countries to fulfill their responsibilities in engaging and building relations with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan."

The Afghan interim government took over power in August 2021 following the withdrawal of the U.S.-led foreign troops from Afghanistan. ■