Dehqani: Economic, Development Co-op, Key To Afghanistan’s Stability

New York, March 18, IRNA – Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations Gholam-Hossein Dehqani said on Monday that economic and development cooperation are key to restore peace and stability to Afghanistan. Addressing the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan, Dehqani said the current Christian year (2014) is highly important for Kabul due to its presidential elections and withdrawal of foreign troops from that country. Dehqani expressed hope the two major events would help restore peace and stability to Afghanistan through Kabul’s will and international support. Dehqani also expressed concern over increasing number of civilian victims in Afghanistan many of whom have been killed in foreign military attacks. “Tehran condemns any attack against civilians,” said Iran’s UN ambassador. He also stressed the importance of the UN role in reconstruction of Afghanistan and improvement of the country’s eco-political situation. Dehqani said that Iran supports activities of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistann (UNAMA). He also congradulated people of Afghanistan on the occasion of Nowruz (New Year) which was recognized by the UN in 2010 as an international day. Dehqani expressed hope that the new year would bring peace and prosperity to the Afghan nation. The International Nowruz Day (March 21) was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly at the initiative of several countries that share this holiday (Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Macedonia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan). Inscribed in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as a cultural tradition observed by numerous peoples, Nowruz is an ancestral festivity marking the first day of spring and the renewal of nature. It promotes values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families as well as reconciliation and neighbourliness, thus contributing to cultural diversity and friendship among peoples and different communities./end