Afghanistan Says, Must Use Iran's Expertise In All Fields

Tehran, Jan 17, IRNA – Afghanistan Minister of Immigrants Affairs Jamahir Ahwar here Wednesday asked for his country's taking advantage of Islamic Republic of Iran's experience in scientific, educational, and new technologies' fields. According to IRNA, the News and Media Office of the Islamic Parliament, Majlis, quoted Jamahir Anwar as making the comment in a meeting Wednesday evening with the Head of the Parliamentary Commission on National Security and Foreign Policy Ala'eddin Boroujerdi. The visiting Afghan minister in the meeting appreciated Iran's efforts in the process of reconstruction of his country, as well as hosting the Afghan refugees in Iran for over three decades, asking for strengthening the bilateral ties. Minister Anwar pointed out that the government and nation of Afghanistan feel proud of the scientific and technological advancements of Iran in various fields. The head of the Parliamentary Commission on National Security and Foreign Policy, too in the meeting emphasized the importance of expanding friendly relations between Iran and Afghanistan in various fields. Boroujerdi added, 'On that basis, the Islamic Parliament, Majlis, supports the expansion of comprehensive friendly relations between the two countries and is ready for transferring its experience in various fields to the Majlises of Afghanistan.' Since late 2001, the new Afghan government under Hamid Karzai has engaged in cordial relations with both Iran and the United States, even as relations between the United States and Iran have grown strained due to American objections to Iran's nuclear program. Iran was a key factor in the overthrow of the Taliban and has since helped revive Afghanistan's economy and infrastructure. It re-opened the Iranian Embassy in Kabul and its associated consulates in other Afghan cities. In the meantime, Iran joined the reconstruction of Afghanistan. According to the chairman of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Iran's exports to Afghanistan in 2008 stood at $800 million. IRNA quoted Mohammad Qorban Haqjou as saying that Iran imported $4 million worth of products like fresh and dried fruits, minerals, precious stones, and spices from the neighboring country. He said that Iran exported oil products, cement, construction material, carpets, home appliances, and detergents. Iran imported nuts, carpets, agricultural products as well as handicrafts from Afghanistan. Afghanistan imports 90 percent of its needs, except agricultural products./end