ID :
197516
Wed, 07/27/2011 - 09:39
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/197516
The shortlink copeid
Tehran, Kabul Mulling Joint Action against Terrorist, Extremist Groups
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian and Afghan lawmaker stressed the need for mutual cooperation in fighting terrorist and extremist groups.
Vice-Speaker of the Afghan Parliament Rafiollah Golafghan and Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi in a joint statement on Tuesday condemned terrorism as an evil phenomenon and underlined the two countries' support for uprooting terrorism.
The two sides agreed that Afghanistan has the capability of safeguarding its security and expressed support for the activity of Afghan High Peace Council to establish peace and stability in the country.
The two sides also underscored the significance of parliamentary relations and regular consultations between the parliaments and setting up friendship groups.
Expressing concern about the rising trend of drug production, the two chambers underlined the need for countering poppy cultivation and drug smuggling.
Eastern Iran borders Afghanistan, which is the world's number one opium and drug producer. Iran's geographical position has made the country a favorite transit corridor for drug traffickers who intend to smuggle their cargoes from Afghanistan to drug dealers in Europe.
Iran spends billions of dollars and has lost thousands of its police troops in the war against traffickers. Owing to its rigid efforts, Iran makes 89 percent of the world's total opium seizures and has turned into the leading country in drug campaign.
Over the past five years, it has contributed more than $50 million annually to Afghan anti-narcotics efforts.
Yet, the Iranian police officials maintain that drug production in Afghanistan has undergone a 40-fold increase since the US-led invasion of the country in 2001.
While Afghanistan produced only 185 tons of opium per year under the Taliban, according to the UN statistics, since the US-led invasion, drug production has surged to 3,400 tons annually. In 2007, the opium trade reached an estimated all-time production high of 8,200 tons.
Afghan and western officials blame Washington and NATO for the change, saying that allies have "overlooked" the drug problem since invading the country 10 years ago.
Vice-Speaker of the Afghan Parliament Rafiollah Golafghan and Chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi in a joint statement on Tuesday condemned terrorism as an evil phenomenon and underlined the two countries' support for uprooting terrorism.
The two sides agreed that Afghanistan has the capability of safeguarding its security and expressed support for the activity of Afghan High Peace Council to establish peace and stability in the country.
The two sides also underscored the significance of parliamentary relations and regular consultations between the parliaments and setting up friendship groups.
Expressing concern about the rising trend of drug production, the two chambers underlined the need for countering poppy cultivation and drug smuggling.
Eastern Iran borders Afghanistan, which is the world's number one opium and drug producer. Iran's geographical position has made the country a favorite transit corridor for drug traffickers who intend to smuggle their cargoes from Afghanistan to drug dealers in Europe.
Iran spends billions of dollars and has lost thousands of its police troops in the war against traffickers. Owing to its rigid efforts, Iran makes 89 percent of the world's total opium seizures and has turned into the leading country in drug campaign.
Over the past five years, it has contributed more than $50 million annually to Afghan anti-narcotics efforts.
Yet, the Iranian police officials maintain that drug production in Afghanistan has undergone a 40-fold increase since the US-led invasion of the country in 2001.
While Afghanistan produced only 185 tons of opium per year under the Taliban, according to the UN statistics, since the US-led invasion, drug production has surged to 3,400 tons annually. In 2007, the opium trade reached an estimated all-time production high of 8,200 tons.
Afghan and western officials blame Washington and NATO for the change, saying that allies have "overlooked" the drug problem since invading the country 10 years ago.
