Afghanistan still a hot regional issue, says Iran

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan is still an important issue at the regional level, says the Iranian ambassador and special representative.

Hassan Kazemi Qomi discussed the recent Moscow-Format meeting and regional situation in an interview with IRNA.

The diplomat said: “Despite some global issues and the developments, especially the wars in Palestine and Lebanon, the issue of Afghanistan remains an important regional problem.”

One of the solutions to get out of these problems and help the the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) and the people of the country was to use the capabilities of the region and neighbouring nations, he suggested.

He recalled: “During the Moscow Format meeting, it was the nieghbouring countries that gathered to form a regional initiative to help Afghanistan fight terrorism and boost their cooperation. In order to prevent the influx of migrants, the issue of this country must be further investigated for its reconstruction.”

According to Qomi, one of the topics raised in Moscow included living conditions for the Afghan people – an issue of concern at the regional level.

The 6th Moscow-Format consultative meeting on Afghanistan was held on October 4 with the participation of representatives from 10 neighbouring and regional countries, including China, Iran and Pakistan.

Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi suggested the Moscow Format mechanism be changed into cooperation between Afghanistan and the region.

Muttaqi said representatives from a number of countries expressed concerns at UN meetings or in media about the threats from Afghanistan, but such apprehensions were completely baseless.

aw/mud