Iranian, Afghan Presidents Discuss Regional Security, Boost of Ties on Phone

TEHRAN (ST)- Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and his Afghan counterpart Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai discussed the latest security developments in the region, and emphasized the need for both Tehran and Kabul to strengthen all-out cooperation.

In their Sunday phone conversation, according to FNA,  President Rouhani announced the Iranian nation’s satisfaction over the establishment of the national unity government in Afghanistan, and asked for both election factions’ continued commitment to the reached agreement, territorial integrity to secure the country’s national interests.

 “Provision of security is of course the top priority of the Afghan national unity government, but regional cooperation is the main way for encountering terrorism and tribal and ethnic extremism,” added President Rouhani.

The Iranian president highlighted the deep relations between the two countries and expressed hope that interactions with the other countries would not harm the good bilateral ties and the continuation of friendly relations between the two Muslim nations.

“As you rightly reiterated, extremism and terrorism are very important threats and we need to act against them gaining assistance from each other and other countries,” Ahmadzai said for his part.

He also ensured President Rouhani that the Afghan officials will remain faithful to their national unity government aimed at restoration of stability to Afghanistan.

Iran is one of the most important donors to Afghanistan, which has kept its promises to help to the reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.

Iran has built several roads, power transmission lines, border stations and many other infrastructure projects to better link the two nations.

Iran has also contributed more than $50mln annually to Afghan anti-narcotics efforts during the last five years.

M. Wassouf