Afghanistan, Iran vow to expand ties in economic, other fields

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan and Iran on Monday agreed to expand political-economic interaction and asked the Islamic world not to stay silent about Israel’s ‘barbarism’ in Palestine.

Afghanistan deputy prime minister for economic affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who is in Iran, met Iran’s first vice president Mohammad Mokhber, Baradar’s office said in a statement.

Both sides discussed strengthening political-economic interaction between Afghanistan and Iran, regional and international situations and ‘crimes’ committed by Israel in Palestine.

Mullah Baradar said: “Afghanistan is independent in all its affairs after the end of the 20-year American occupation. Afghanistan has come forward to interact with neighboring countries, the region and the world at large, considering its Islamic and national values.”

He added currently Afghanistan enjoyed complete political, security and economic stability and a stable Afghanistan was in the interest of its neighbors, the region and the world.

He said based on its economy-oriented foreign policy, the Islamic Emirate desired to expand political, economic, transit and trade relations with Iran.

For his part, Mohammad Mokhber said his country was willing to improve relations with Afghanistan and to expand political, economic, trade and transit relations between the two neighbors and work together for the betterment and well-being of both nations.

He said both countries should be committed to implementing bilateral agreements, working jointly to protect the environment and dealing with drought and water management.

The Iranian leader said Tehran was all poised to significantly increase Afghanistan’s exports and imports through Chabahar Port and to fully cooperate with Afghanistan in benefitting from advanced technology in agriculture and industry.

He emphasized both countries should use their national currencies in trade and build highways and roads to increase the level of trade and transit.

Both sides strongly denounced Israel’s barbaric actions in Palestine and asked the Islamic world not to keep mum over Israel’s brutalities.

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