Promotion of Iran-Afghan defense cooperation discussed in Kabul

Kabul, June 19, IRNA – The defense ministers of Iran and Afghanistan stressed here Saturday the need for promotion of bilateral cooperation in the field of defensive and security activities.

Visiting Defense Minister of Iran Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi and his Afghan counterpart Field Marshal Abdulrahim Vardak discussed issues of mutual interest in the first round of bilateral talks in the Afghan capital.

Vahidi arrived in Kabul Saturday morning at the invitation of his Afghan counterpart.

During his stay in Kabul, The Iranian minister is to confer with top Afghan officials on issues related to defense cooperation between the two countries.

This is the first visit to Afghanistan of an Iranian defense minister after the victory of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Vahidi is also the first Iranian defense minister visiting Afghanistan in the past 92 years.

Speaking in the meeting, Vahidi said that Iran-Afghanistan relations were “beyond just a diplomatic relation.”

“The profound and strong relations between the two countries are stemmed from the long-term friendship and cooperation between their governments and nations,” he stressed.

Criticizing the presence of foreign troops in this strategic region, Vahidi said, “Presence of foreign forces is against materialization of the intention of the great nation of Afghanistan and would also cause discord and tension and lead to the wasting of Kabul’s assets.”

Vahidi reiterated “Iran’s support for Afghanistan’s national development and sustainable security.”

Meanwhile, the Afghan minister hailed Tehran’s assistance and support for the people of Afghanistan and stressed that all people of Afghanistan believed in having an independent and free country.

He also called for promotion of Tehran-Kabul cooperation in the fight against terrorism, drugs smuggling and organized crimes./end