Iran promises gradual return of Afghan refugees

KABUL (Pajhwok): Iranian Foreign Minister Sayed Abbas Araghchi has assured the repatriation of Afghan refugees in a gradual and dignified manner based on a joint plan with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA).

In an interview with IRNA, Araghchi referred to his visit to Kabul in February this year and meetings with Afghan officials, during which the necessity of the departure of undocumented migrants was discussed in detail.

“We are negotiating with the caretaker Afghan government to ensure that this return is carried out in a structured and organised manner,” Araghchi added.

“A joint plan for the gradual and dignified departure of Afghan migrants from Iran has been prepared and will be implemented accordingly.”

He stressed the interim Afghan government must ensure the necessary infrastructure and support systems were in place to accommodate returning migrants.

Araghchi explained: “We do not want the return of Afghan nationals to become a social crisis for either country. Our key principle regarding the return of Afghan migrants is to conduct the process in a logical and reasonable manner at the regional level.”

Without providing further details, IRNA quoted Nader Yar Ahmadi, advisor to the minister for foreign citizen and migrant affairs at Iran’s Ministry of Interior, as saying around six million foreign nationals — mostly Afghans — were currently residing in Iran.

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