Afghanistan Eager to Expand Trade via Iranian Ports

Mulla Abul Ghani Baradar, the deputy prime minister of Afghanistan's caretaker government for economic affairs, met with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in Tehran on Sunday.

The Afghan official appreciated Iran for standing by Afghanistan since the American invasion of his country and said, “Iran has been hosting Afghan immigrants generously for years, and we are grateful to the Islamic Republic of Iran from the bottom of our hearts.”

Baradar noted that Afghanistan is interested in increasing its foreign trade relations through the transit routes of Iran and using the capacities of Chabahar Port and Bandar Abbas for its exports and imports. He also called for trilateral cooperation between Iran, Afghanistan, and India in this field.

“In addition to upholding neighborly necessities, developing cooperation with Iran is a conscious choice for us, and we want to develop this cooperation in various fields, especially economically and commercially. We are fully prepared and we will maintain friendly relations with Iran,” he stated, the Foreign Ministry’s website reported.

For his part, Amirabdollahian referred to the important position of Afghanistan in the foreign policy of Iran.

Expressing his satisfaction with the departure of the American invaders from Afghanistan, the Iranian foreign minister said, “The independence and development of Afghanistan, the comfort and welfare of the people, and the stability as well as security of this country are very important for the Islamic Republic.”

Amirabdollahian added that Iran, considering the neighborly relations, is determined to help Afghanistan overcome the current situation.

Iran has made a great deal of efforts to host the Afghan refugees, he stated, adding, “Considering the various dimensions of issues, matters, and problems related to immigrants, it is necessary to plan tactfully and manage the issue of immigration and issues and problems related to immigrants with joint cooperation.”