Afghanistan Times
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AT Monitoring Desk
KABUL: Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi, who visited Kabul for top-level consultations, said the Iran-Afghanistan strategic plan will be finalized soon.
Mr. Araghchi met with many Afghan high-ranking officials, discussing key issues in regards to strengthened Kabul and Tehran ties.
During meeting with his counterparts, Mohammad Haneef Atmar, both sides shared views on a range of issues, including Afghan peace talks, bilateral relations and finalization of a comprehensive document on long-term cooperation.
Speaking to reporters, Araqchi said the plan consists of five sections, four of which have already been concluded and the fifth one on security cooperation will be finalized soon.
“The comprehensive strategic document outlines the prospects of long-term relations between Afghanistan and Iran and defines its principles, and plays a major role in reinforcing these ties,” he was quoted as saying by ISNA.
The deputy minister expressed hope that his current consultations in Kabul will be the last round of negotiations on the document, as it has made good progress.
“Once finalized, the document will be signed by the presidents of the two countries,” he said, adding that it will help chart the course of Kabul-Tehran relations in the future.
According to Araqchi, the cooperation plan has been devised in a way that both nations feel their demands are met and their interests are served in a win-win situation.
He said the document will not be signed as long as one party is not satisfied. “We are now at a point where both sides are satisfied,” he said.
The document was prepared around five years ago and covers five areas, namely economic, cultural, defense-security, citizens and water.
