West’s policies have led to spread of terrorism: Iran

TEHRAN, Feb. 18 (MNA) – Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani has said that the presence of foreign forces in the region have led to the spread of terrorism and drugs trade.

Terrorism and drugs pose serious dangers to the region and major powers are contributing to the conflagration of terrorism and drugs trade through their wrong policies, Larijani told Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov here on Wednesday.

Since the invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001 the opium production has increased by 45 times and terrorism has spread to tribal regions in neighboring Pakistan.

He reiterated that cooperation among key regional powers is the only solution to the problems facing the region.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he called for expansion of economic, industrial and technological cooperation with Belarus.

Cooperation between the two countries’ private sectors can serve as a catalyst for strengthening Tehran-Minsk ties, he observed.

He also said that parliamentary relationship between the two countries is highly important in upgrading ties.

Martynov, for his part, said that parliaments play an important role in relations. The two countries have also great potential for increasing cooperation in infrastructure, industrial and scientific projects, the top diplomat added.

He also described the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan as a regional headache, adding that the pullout of the foreign forces from the region would help resolve the crises.

The top diplomat from Belarus also said the NATO enlargement to the East was a historical mistake which has made situation more complicated.