Iran, Afghanistan emphasize need for regional convergence

IRNA

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araghchi in a meeting with Head of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) Abdullah Abdullah in Kabul stressed the need for regional convergence and economic development.

During the meeting held in Sepidar Palace in Kabul on July 16, Araqchi voiced Tehran’s support for efforts to restore peace to Afghanistan, IRNA reported.

He also assured Abdullah of Iran’s continued support for its eastern neighboring state as well as its support for peace efforts under the leadership of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation.

During the meeting, the two sides also termed the establishment of peace and security in Afghanistan as beneficial to regional and global peace and stability describing it a step closer to regional convergence, economic growth, and fighting against terrorism and drug trafficking.

Abdullah, for his part, hailed Tehran’s continued support for Kabul and briefed Araghchi on the latest efforts made to achieve peace and resume the peace talks.

Araqchi is in Afghanistan to exchange views with senior officials of the country over major bilateral, regional and international issues including advancing previously signed economic agreements between the two capitals and the intra-Afghan talks.

The Iranian diplomat arrived in Kabul on July 15 and has so far held separate meetings with senior officials of the country including Acting Minister of Economy Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal and Mohammad Haneef Atmar, Acting Minister of Afghanistan's Foreign Affairs.

On July 15, Araqchi met Haneef Atmar and voiced Tehran’s readiness to help the Afghanistan government with advancing the process of peace talks in that country.

Araqchi expressed hope that the intra-afghan negotiations will be held soon with the participation of all Afghan parties.

Araqchi and Haneef Atmar further discussed problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Tehran and Kabul, and issues related to Chabahar development projects and transit routes in Central Asia.

The two sides also agreed on a roadmap and the time schedule of finalizing a comprehensive cooperation document between the two capitals.

Earlier on July 16, Araqch met with Arghandiwal and stressed the need for making joint planning to promote bilateral cooperation between Iran and Afghanistan.