Afghanistan Times
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AT Monitoring Desk-KABUL: The first vice president (VP) of Iran in a meeting with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah has said that Iran’s security depends on stability and peace in Afghanistan.
In a meeting the leaders of the two countries in Tehran have discussed various issues regarding bilateral relations and mutual interests.
While speaking to the high-ranking Afghan delegation, the first VP of Iran Es’hagh Jahangiri said that the two countries share the same language, religion, culture and historic ties. “Iran has always backed the people and government of Afghanistan and the two sides have had unique and intimate bilateral relations through history,” Mehr News Agency quoted him.
Jahangiri said that Afghanistan’s role in Iran’s foreign policy is pivotal, adding, “despite the current regional problem, the significance of Afghanistan’s position has never diminished to the eye’s of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
He appreciated the formation of the National Unity Government (NUG) in Afghanistan and believed the NUG as a sign of political maturity of the neighboring country’s elite and politicians. “We are hopeful about the continuance of the unity and integrity and feel optimistic about the future of the current government,” he said.
“The two countries’ senior officials are determined to strengthen, improve and expand bilateral ties in political, economic and cultural areas,” noted the official emphasizing that Iran in line with its principled policy would continue to support the Afghan government.
Jahangiri also discussed ways in easing visa issuance to Afghans in a bid to assist the employment of Afghans in his country.
“The aim is to regulate the labor market for Afghan citizens in such a way that labor deployment will take place within the framework of law,” said Jahangiri.
Expressing Iran’s willingness to grant essential facilities for opening its market to Afghan agricultural products, he said that the ground was available for boosting the trade turnover between the two countries.
Noting India’s willingness to invest in Chabahar port, he said that trilateral cooperation has become feasible among Iran, India and Afghanistan to take advantage of the transit potentials of the port by taking effective steps in this regard.
“Reconstruction marks the key to peace, stability, development and progress in Afghanistan,” underlined the Iranian VP, announcing the readiness of Iranian technical and engineering companies to become more involved in the reconstruction and development of the neighboring country.
Iranian first VP furthered that the cooperation on energy and mining industry would bolster the trade relations between the two countries. “Iran enjoys good potentials in mines and mining industries expansion.”
Jahangiri also discussed issues regarding terrorism in the region, saying that the presence of the terrorist groups in Afghanistan mark common concerns for the two countries. “These groups have damaged Islam to a great extent causing the springing up of Islamophobia which needs to be dealt with properly,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Abdullah Abdullah, said that Kabul and Tehran have always enjoyed friendly relations as well as having several cultural and historical commonalities.
“After the formation of the national unity government in Afghanistan, expansion of relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran has gained a special place in Afghanistan’s foreign policy,” he noted.
The CEO appreciated the government of Iran for cooperation with Afghanistan in various sectors. “Tehran and Kabul can boost ties in various fields including culture, trade, security and the fight against drugs,” he said.
Abdullah further said that extremism is a common threat to all countries mainly the neighboring countries, adding that enhancement of cooperation and coordination between the two countries could play a major role in the fight against terrorism.
