Speaking at the joint meeting of Iranian-Afghan high-ranking delegations, Iranian First Vice-President Es'hagh Jahangiri said the Islamic Republic of Iran and Afghanistan enjoy numerous commonalities in terms of language, religion, culture and history; “Iran has always backed the people and government of Afghanistan and the two sides have had unique and intimate bilateral relations through history.”
Jahangiri pointed out the important role of Afghanistan in Iran’s foreign policy adding “despite the current regional problems, the significance of Afghanistan’s position has never diminished to the eye’s of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Iran’s first VP deemed the formation of the government of national unity (NUG) in Afghanistan as a sign of the 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.”
“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, will continue to support the Afghan government and national unity.
Jahangiri also referred to the plan to increase visa issuance in order to facilitate the deployment of Afghan workforce to Iran maintaining “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.”
Iranian official further noted the existence of solid grounds for boosting the trade turnover between the two countries expressing Iran’s readiness to provide necessary facilities for opening its market on Afghan agricultural products.
Noting India’s willingness to invest in Chabahar port Jhangiri said “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 official announcing the readiness of Iranian technical and engineering companies to become more involved in the reconstruction and development of the neighboring country.”
The first VP of Iran further highlighted cooperation on energy and mining industry as possible venues for elevation of trade relations between the two countries; “Iran enjoys good potentials in mines and mining industries expansion.”
Jahangiri pointed out the emergence of extremism in the region asserting that extremism and the existence of terrorist groups mark common concerns for the two sides; “these groups have damaged Islam to a great extent causing the springing up of Islamophobia which needs to be dealt with properly,” concluded the Iranian official.
Afghanistan’s Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, for his part, referred to the intimate relations between the two countries; “fortunately, Tehran and Kabul have always enjoyed friendly ties as well as having several cultural and historical commonalities.”
“After the formation of the 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.
Abdullah Abdullah expressed appreciation towards Iran’s cooperation with his country on various occasions adding “Tehran and Kabul can boost ties in various fields including culture, trade, security and the fight against drugs.”
The Afghan chief executive deemed terrorism as a common threat to all countries particularly the regional countries concluding “enhancement of cooperation and coordination between the two countries could play a major role in the fight against terrorism.”
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