Tehran, Jan 21, IRNA – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with a number of senior Afghan officials in Kabul on Tuesday.
  In his one-day stay in Kabul, Zarif met with the Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani during which he submitted the invitation letter of the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani for his Afghan counterpart to
visit Iran.

President Ghani hoped the visit will take place soon.

He said further consolidation of ties with Iran was of prime importance for Afghanistan as Tehran is regard as long-standing ally of the country.

Thanks to many particular characteristics the two nations share, he noted, they are considered as natural allies who should cooperate to fully develop all their capacities.

He said the present peace and stability in Afghanistan would help promote security in the region as well.

President Ghani noted that his government is investing on cooperation with neighboring countries as well as the Islamic world nations.

Zarif welcomed formation of the government of national unity in Afghanistan which promotes participation of all ranks of people in the country’s affairs and said a new chapter has opened in the life of the

nation which should be continued through the wise policies of its leaders.

He said Iran will stay by Afghanistan in all areas like before.

The Iranian foreign minister also said that Iran is planning on long-term programs based on interests of both nations.

In a separate meeting with the Afghanistan National Security Adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar, Zarif said Iran welcomed solid relations with Afghanistan.

He believed both countries should stop strategic plans based on their own national interests and needs to help development process in the region.

The Afghan official hoped the visit of President Ghani to Iran will result in working out cooperation agreements between the two countries in various fields.

Yet, in another meeting with the former Afghanistan president Hamed Karzai, the Iranian foreign minister hailed the role of former president in consolidating good and long-term relations which could help boost stability, security, progress and prosperity in the region.

Karzai appreciated Iran’s efforts and support to Afghanistan throughout years and said Tehran has always played a positive role in boosting security and political development in Afghanistan.

He also conferred with the Afghan Government Executive Chief Abdullah Abduallah on issues of mutual interest.

Zarif also met and conferred with Afghan permanent representative to the UN, Zahir Tanin, at Iran's Embassy in Kabul.

Zarif, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Tuesday.

By IRNA

 

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