Iran, Afghanistan Launch 7 Joint Committees
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Seven joint committees on cooperation between Iran and the Taliban in Afghanistan were brought into operation on Wednesday.
The seven committees have formally begun their activities under an agreement following several rounds of negotiations between Iran’s special representative for Afghanistan Hassan Kazemi Qomi and the Taliban officials in Kabul.
In comments during the inauguration of the committees, Kazemi Qomi said the interests of Iran and Afghanistan are integrated, adding, “The opposition from outsiders has created many problems for the people of Afghanistan. Afghanistan has rich resources, but others have not allowed these blessings to be used.”
He also pledged that Iran will stand by the people of Afghanistan to allow the neighboring country to exploit its capabilities.
Kazemi Qomi also called for brotherly trust, elimination of bureaucracy, and paving ground for mutual cooperation.
The seven committees should first define the necessities to allow Iran and Afghanistan to formulate a road map to mutual cooperation for a period of 5 to 10 years, he stated.
The envoy also expressed Iran’s readiness to help Afghanistan’s economy prosper and prepare the ground for the export of Afghan commodities.
Iran is not just looking for trade with Afghanistan, but eyes the export of technical and engineering services, he noted.
Pointing to the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan, the Iranian envoy said, “Although the occupiers have now fled Afghanistan, their evil acts exist. We should not do something to make the people of Afghanistan leave the country because of the problems.”
Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Kabul on Monday, Kazemi Qomi said the United States is propping up Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) Takfiri terrorists to perpetrate various acts of terror in Afghanistan in the wake of Washington's disastrous withdrawal after more than two decades of destructive presence there.
Commenting on whether Iran would recognize the Taliban government, he said Tehran "respects the demands of the Afghan nation. Our position is in line with the demands of the people of this country."