Minister Lauds Iran's Efforts in Afghan Reconstruction

TEHRAN (FNA)- Afghanistan's Defense Minister General Abdul Raheem Wardak praised Iran for its aid and assistance to the reconstruction of his country's infrastructures.
Afghan people, their government and their armed forces thank the Islamic Republic of Iran for its sincere assistance, Wardak said in a meeting with Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi on Saturday.

"We are meeting the defense minister of a country which has helped Afghanistan very much during the Afghan resistance to foreign occupation and reconstruction era," he said.

Afghanistan has resisted to foreign aggressors for a long time and the only way to help reconstruct the country is through revival of the country's domestic capabilities, said the Afghan defense minister.

Afghanistan seeks freedom and independence; he said adding that the role of its neighbors such as Iran is very remarkable to this effect.

Wardak said that Iran and Afghanistan should continue with cooperation in various fields mainly in their campaign against terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crimes.

Ties between Iran and Afghanistan are beyond diplomatic relations, Wardak said, adding that the two sides have always backed each other in ups and downs.

Iran is one of the most important donors to Afghanistan which has kept its promises to help to the reconstruction of the war-hit country.

Iran has built some roads, power transmission lines, and border stations, among the other infrastructure projects which would better link the two nations.