Speaking today at the UN General Assembly session on the situation in Afghanistan, Iran’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Gholam-Hossein Dehqani said, “the Islamic Republic of Iran wishes a secure and developing Afghanistan, and since the stability in that country directly and indirectly affects the security in the region, Iran will not hesitate to make endeavors to bring about peace and stability in that country.”
Dehghani, while hailing Afghan people for their participation in the recent presidential election of their country and the formation of a national unity government in spite of the terrorist threats, maintained, “Iran calls on all political parties in Afghanistan to cooperate within their country’s Constitution to strengthen the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan.”
Dehghani added Iran stands by the Afghan people’s decision in regard to the new government and that the international community should lend its full support to the Afghan government as well.
In regard to security arrangements, he said, “any step taken after 2014 in support of education, equipment, financing and promotion of Afghan National Security Forces must be consulted with and approved by the Afghan government. The resolution adopted today at the General Assembly has also stressed on this important issue.”
While noting that Iran has welcomed three million Afghan immigrants in the past thirty years, he said, “at present, the Afghan immigrants in Iran are enjoying public education and higher education opportunities, as well as health care and social security. In 2014 alone, more than 320,000 Afghan students and over 7,000 college students have been provided with educational facilities.”
Dehghani asserted that Iran and Afghanistan will continue bilateral cooperation on security issues, combating drug trafficking, development and economic projects in infrastructure and agriculture. He expressed deep concern for the doubling of opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan since 2012 and while deeming it a threat against the region and beyond, called on the international community to take serious heed of this threat.
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