By Mitra Majeedy in TOLOnews Online, Dec 25, 2023 at 10:11 PM
The acting foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate, Amir Khan Muttaqi, met with Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, to discuss the diplomatic ties between the two countries, the situation and problems of Afghan prisoners and refugees, and the Islamic Emirate’s stance on the Palestine issue.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ deputy spokesperson, Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, said on X that Abdollahian praised the “positive stance of the Islamic Emirate regarding the issue of Palestine.”
Takal added that Muttaqi emphasized effective measures to strengthen political, economic, commercial and transit relations between Afghanistan and Iran.
Meanwhile, in a video released on the X page of the Foreign Ministry’s Spokesman, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, Muttaqi, stressed the importance of economic and diplomatic relations with Iran.
“The Consulates and Embassies are active. We have political relations and the economic relations are also improving. The two countries are trying to see how to make progress in various fields,” he said.
“Afghanistan in the current situation needs regional and global support and engagement. The visits by Muttaqi as the acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan can be effective in improving relations and trust with the international community,” said Najeeb Rahman Shamal, a political analyst.
Muttaqi also talked about the efforts of the Islamic Emirate to provide the grounds for the return of Afghan refugees from Iran.
“The security is provided [in Afghanistan] and we are trying to improve the economic situation as well, so the refugees find jobs. We thank the countries who hosted many refugees. We ask them to let them return gradually and safely to the country,” he said.
“The Afghan refugees in all countries specifically in Pakistan and Iran are facing harassment, so these meetings could be effective to prevent thier deportation and harassment,” said Shams Rahman Ahmadzai, a political analyst.
The acting foreign minister on his visit to Tehran once again called for support to the people of Palestine.
Muttaqi arrived in Iran to attend a conference convened by Iran in support of Palestine.
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-186652
