FM Reiterates Importance of Restoring Peace in Afghanistan after US Pullout

Iranian top diplomat Ali Akbar Salehi, who is accompanying President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in his visit to Islamabad, underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of the US and NATO forces from the country in 2014.

Salehi highlighted the significance of restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of the US and NATO forces from the war-torn country in 2014, saying Tehran, Islamabad and Kabul are holding constant consultations to take proper steps in this regard.

Salehi also stressed the importance of bolstering trilateral cooperation among Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan to promote peace and stability in the region.

Salehi arrived in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Thursday ahead of a two-day tripartite summit due to open on Friday in the presence of Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Afghan and Pakistani counterparts Hamid Karzai and Asif Ali Zardari.

The meeting of the three presidents would play a key role in promoting peace, stability, security and prosperity among the regional nations, the Iranian minister said upon his arrival in Islamabad.

He added that issues pertaining to regional developments, particularly security and stability, and ways to expand economic relations are top on the agenda of the summit.