Afghan president’s envoy praises Iran’s supportive stances
Afghanistan’s peace envoy Mohammad Omar Daudzai lauded Iran’s stances towards his country, urging closer cooperation between Kabul and Tehran.
In a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran on Saturday, Daudzai briefed the Iranian top diplomat on the process of Afghan peace negotiations, stressing that peace talks must be chiefly handled by the Kabul government, Tasnim News Agency reported.
He also praised Iran’s “positive and sympathetic” stances towards Afghanistan, and discussed ways to enhance bilateral ties between the two neighbors.
Zarif highlighted the significance of establishing peace and stability in Afghanistan, saying Iran believes that the Afghan nation has the final say in all developments.
“Iran always seeks to help the Afghan government and nation,” Zarif stated.
In a meeting with an Iranian deputy foreign minister in September 2018, Chief Executive of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah underlined the importance of his country’s relations with Iran and said the relationship will never be adversely affected by a third country.
Iranian officials have always voiced support for Afghanistan’s war against terrorism and extremism.
In June 2017, Iran and Afghanistan held the first round of talks on a “comprehensive strategic partnership” document as part of efforts to boost bilateral relations.
In December, Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that a delegation of the Afghan Taliban visited Tehran and held extensive negotiations with a top Iranian officials.
The talks came after a trip by Iran’s Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani to Afghanistan where he held separate meetings with Afghan and Taliban officials.
Afghan government has been kept informed of the talks between Iran and the Taliban.