Iran urges EU to keep supporting Afghan refugees

Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli called on the European Union to continue its support for Afghan refugees residing in Iran. Rahmani Fazli made the remarks in a meeting with EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos in Tehran on Monday, IRNA reported.

The Iranian official noted that Tehran cooperates with the EU in migration and the European bloc is interested in expanding ties in this regard.

The Iranian interior minister emphasized that the refugees residing in Iran live like Iranians, and said, “With regard to the pressures on Iran, we expect the United Nations and the EU to improve the situation in Afghanistan in a way that Afghan refugees voluntarily return to their home country.”

Rahmani Fazli stressed that the assistance provided by the UN is too little.

He also referred to narcotics problems facing Iran, saying that over 10,000 tons of illicit drugs have been produced in neighboring Afghanistan this year and that Iran is economically and socially has been affected more than any country from this problem.

He also added that Iran gave a report of measures taken in its fight against terrorism during the meeting.

The European official also held separate meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Both officials discussed different issues such as Iran-europe talks, Iran nuclear deal, immigration, drug trafficking, the issue of refugees in Iran and the region as well as fight against terrorism and extremism.