Afghan Deputy Premier Mullah Baradar meets top officials in Iran

ISTANBUL

Afghanistan’s interim Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund met with top officials in Iran during an official visit, his office said on Monday.

Baradar, responsible for the war-torn nation’s economic affairs, met Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian as well as Ali Akbar Ahmadian, chairman of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

According to Baradar’s office, the two sides discussed political and economic relations, “effective” coordination between their respective nations, water resource management, transit agreements, and enhancement of Afghanistan’s imports and exports through Iran.

Baradar emphasized the necessity for increased bilateral cooperation and the formation of technical teams to pursue the goal of increased economic relations.

Expressing gratitude to Tehran for hosting Afghan refugees, Baradar acknowledged Iran's “commitment to Islamic values, humanitarianism, and the rights and norms concerning refugees.”

Ahmadian told the visiting Afghan delegation that Iran and Afghanistan “play a crucial role in China's One Belt and One Road project.”

“Both sides agreed to capitalize on the opportunities at hand and ensure that no external factors negatively impact the strong relationship between Iran and Afghanistan,” the statement said.

In his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, Baradar discussed Afghanistan's “engagement with regional and global partners through Iran.”

Besides discussing investment prospects for Iranian investors in Afghanistan, he highlighted the need for “streamlining visa issuance for Afghan citizens, and addressing the challenges faced by Afghan refugees residing in Iran.”