Iran's SNSC Secretary, Afghan FM Stress Expansion Of Ties

Kabul, Jan 7, IRNA – Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Saeed Jalili and Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Zalmai Rasul, in a meeting here on Sunday, stressed bolstering and reinvigorating of ties between the two countries. 'Malevolent enemies of Afghan nation should not use both 'terrorism' and 'campaign against terrorism' as an excuse to pursue their interests against Afghanistan and regional countries; Kabul and Tehran should not allow enemies of the two countries to affect Afghanistan-Iran historical friendly relations'. Jalili added that Afghan nation and government should care about new challenges which threatens Afghanistan and region, noting that Iran is ready for development of ties with Afghanistan. Afghan foreign minister, for his part, stressed development of relations between the two countries in all fields, calling the ties between the two states as incomparably warm. 'We are optimistic about the prospect of Tehran-Kabul ties.' In a meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Saturday afternoon, Jalili termed the mutual cooperation as consolidated and based on deep historical friendship in both days of happiness and sadness. In the meeting, Jalili praised Afghan people for their bright background in not accepting aliens and also fighting against occupiers. President Karzai described relations between the two countries as 'excellent', adding that strengthening ties in recent years has been desirable to both nations. In another meeting, Jalili discussed issues of mutual interest with Afghanistan's National Security Advisor Rangeen Dadfar Spanta on Saturday morning. The two sides underlined the necessity of more consultations and dialogue between the two countries' officials. Jalili had also meetings with first and second vice-presidents of Afghanistan on Saturday morning. First Vice-President Mohammad Qasim Fahim and second Vice-President Mohammad Karim Khalili in their meetings with Saeed Jalili appreciated Iran's brotherly support for Afghanistan during the war. Jalili arrived in Kabul on Friday evening to meet with Afghanistan president and other senior officials of the country. He arrived there from New Delhi. Jalili was in India upon an invitation by the Indian Prime Minister's National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon. Iranian officials have always underlined that Tehran will maintain its support for the reconstruction and development process in Afghanistan, especially after the withdrawal of foreign forces from the war-torn country. Iran is one of the most important donors to Afghanistan which has kept its promises to help to the reconstruction of the war-hit country. Iran has built some roads, power transmission lines, and border stations, among the other infrastructure projects which would better link the two nations. Iran has also contributed more than $50 million annually to Afghan anti-narcotics efforts in the last several years./end