KABUL - The Iranian foreign minister on Sunday said both Afghanistan and Iran were located in a dangerous region, haunted by terrorism supported by some foreign circles.
Mohammad Jawad Zarif, who arrived in Kabul at the head of a high-level delegation on Sunday, condemned recent deadly attacks in Afghanistan at a joint press conference with his Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani.
“Iran and Afghanistan are situated in a dangerous region. Unfortunately, this region has affected by terrorist groups that are supported by foreigners; such movements in the area would definitely damage all.”
Zarif stressed there were no good or bad terrorists, saying the scourge was not confined to Afghanistan but would spread to those who supported it.
Afghanistan and Iran have great opportunities for joint cooperation on fighting against terrorism and protecting their nations, he said. “We continue economic, transit, transport and infrastructure cooperation with Afghanistan.”
About cooperation on international forums, he said: “We appreciate Afghanistan’s support. I assure the Afghan people Iran would be by their side at all international forums.”
He hoped his meetings with Afghan officials, including the president, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), National Security Advisor and others, would help strengthen relations between the two countries.
Acting Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani said Afghanistan and Iran had religious, linguistic and cultural bonds and the governments of the two countries should follow their interests in consideration of these commononalities.
He said they had productive talks some important issues such as the fight against terrorism and improving relations, particularly economic links, between the two countries.
Terrorism threatened both countries and the region as many Iranian border police personnel were killed days after a terrorist attack on Afghan forces in Balkh province, Rabbani explained.
“Source and organisation of both incidents are based outside the borders of the two countries. That is the reason why Afghanistan wants regional countries to jointly strike at the roots of terrorism,” he said. (Pajhwok)