Iran Foreign Minister Salehi meets with Afghan president Karzai

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has met with the Afghan President Hamid Karzai on the sidelines of the fourth session of Iran-Afghanistan Joint Economic Commission, Press TV reports.

During the meeting on Wednesday, Salehi stressed Iran’s determination to expand relations with Afghanistan in different areas, adding that the two countries’ efforts in removing minor obstacles will speed up the all-out expansion of ties.

He also emphasized the importance of exchanging delegations as it can further strengthen relations between the two countries.

The Afghan president, for his part, reiterated the importance of exchanging high-level delegations as well as consultations on bilateral and regional issues.

Karzai assessed as positive the development of cooperation between the two countries in different areas, adding that the actual capacities for boosting collaboration between the two neighboring states are much higher than the existing ones.

Earlier on Wednesday, Salehi held talks with his Afghan counterpart Zalmai Rasoul.

During the meeting with his Afghan counterpart, the Iranian foreign minister reiterated that the Islamic Republic will further cooperate with Afghanistan in order to help with the reconstruction of the war-torn country.

Iran and Afghanistan are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding in trade, banking and tourism sectors on Wednesday.

Tehran has played an active role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan since the US-led invasion of the country in 2001.

In addition to massive contribution to reconstruction of Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic has cooperated with the Afghan government in building roads and railways to expand cross-border transportation.