Iran Says Presence Of Foreign Forces In Afghanistan Cause Of Instability
By Iran Review
Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi says Tehran has fulfilled its financial commitments for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
Iran’s aid to Afghanistan was provided in the form of infrastructure projects including the construction of 300 kilometers of roads, 207 kilometers of railways, supplying water and electricity and building clinics for special medical purposes, Salehi said.
The Iranian foreign minister made the remarks in an international conference in Tokyo that has brought together delegates from around 70 countries to raise billions of dollars in aid for Afghanistan.
“Iran will continue granting financial aid and implementing infrastructure projects in Afghanistan and will be committed to all its obligations in this regard,” Salehi added.
Salehi blamed the over a decade-long presence of foreign military forces in Afghanistan for the rise in terrorism, narcotics smuggling and instability in the Asian country.
The Iranian foreign minister stressed the responsibility of the Afghan government to fight bureaucratic corruption and narcotics trafficking.
Iran’s Foreign Minister has underlined the Islamic Republic’s contributions to the progress and development of Afghanistan.
The meeting in the Japanese capital is aimed at securing aid commitments for Afghanistan.
“This conference, which is held in Tokyo, Japan, is aimed at helping Afghanistan to raise its standards of living, to prepare itself after the 2014 when foreign troops leave Afghanistan, to stand on its feet, to take care of its security and stability with the assistance of the international community, and to make all it can for the prosperity of its people,” Salehi pointed out.