Zarif highlights restoring peace, stability in Afghanistan

Kabul, Jan 20, IRNA – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday emphasized need for restoring peace, stability, and national unity in Afghanistan, expressing pleasure with establishment of the Afghan national unity government. Zarif who was speaking in joint press conference with the Executive Head of the National Unity Government of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah, appreciated the Afghan nation and government for their warm welcome for him and said that it was a nice day in Afghanisyan as the members of the National Unity Government was introduced to the Parliament for vote of confidence. Zarif arrived in Afghanistan on Tuesday morning for meeting with high ranking officials of Iran's eastern neighbor. He said that the Afghan leaders are wise people and their positive move towards unity is welcomed to all the friends of their nation. 'Iran has always favored the establishment of peace and security in Afghanistan, played a positive role in that direction, and considered the Afghan development and stability its own,' stressed the Iranian top diplomat. Before his meeting with Abdullah Abdullah, Zarif had met and conferred with the Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and delivered President Hassan Rouhani's invitation to the Afghan president to pay a visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran. During his day-long visit of Afghanistan, Zarif also met and exchanged views on Issues of mutual interests, including campaign against drug-trafficking, with the Afghan National Security Adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar.