Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister in Asia and Pacific Affairs Ebrahim Rahimpour said that the root cause of current regional issues was extremism, violence and terrorist groups, stressing that contrary to some Western countries’ views, the difference between the Sunni and Shia did not basically lead to the problems in the region.
Visiting London to attend a conference on Afghanistan, Rahimpour met with the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in British House of Commons Sir Richard Ottaway along with a number of Committee members.
During the meeting, they first discussed the issue of Afghanistan and according to the topics discussed at the conference, the latest situation in Afghanistan and the formation of a national unity government and the challenges and opportunities the country faces were considered.
In the meeting, combating illegal drug cultivation, transmission and trafficking were mentioned as some of the common issues and the British side emphasized the importance of Islamic Republic of Iran’s role in confronting them.
Pointing to the existing experiences and potentials in Iran with respect to fighting against drugs, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister underlined the need for achieving tangible and concrete cooperation with Western countries.
Rahimpour also praised formation of a new government in Afghanistan and expressed hope it would strengthen the foundations of political stability in the country.
Sir Richard Ottaway, for his part, pointed to the sensitivity of the situation in the Middle East and underscored Iran’s key position and influential role in fighting against terrorist groups, particularly ISIL.
British official also reiterated the need to manage the challenges as well as potential and actual threats in the Middle East and the expansion of extremism in some regional countries.
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MNA
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