Karzai Lauds Iran’s Role In Afghan Stability, Development

Kabul, Nov 16, IRNA – Afghan President Hamed Karzai on Thursday lauded Iran’s key role in Afghan stability and development. In a meeting with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia-Pacific Affairs Ebrahim Rahimpour in Kabul, Karzai thanked Iran for cooperation and assistance to Afghan people and government in the past several years. Rahimpour briefed Karzai and Afghan Foreign Minister Zarar Osmani and the advisor to President Karzai on National Security who attended the meeting on Iranian foreign policy. Rahimpour said that the Islamic Republic of Iran advocates good neighborly relations with Afghanistan and the other neighboring states. He said restoration of sustainable security, development and stability in Afghanistan is major part of Iranian strategy. The Iranian and Afghan senior officials exchanged views on significance of the Consultative Loya Jirga of Afghanistan and upcoming presidential election. They touched on necessity of promoting ties, promotion of mutual trade using present transit capacities of Iran, expansion of road and railroads linking Iran and Afghanistan. They discussed the issues concerning the Afghan refugees in Iran. Meanwhile, Rahimpour told Afghan Foreign Minister Zarar Osmani that Afghanistan is given top priority in Iranian foreign policy. Osmani thanked Iran for contribution to Afghan peace and stability, underlining need for expansion of relations./end