TEHRAN -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian on Tuesday reaffirmed the need for the establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan, saying Tehran remains in contact with all sides in the neighboring country, including the interim government in Kabul.
“We are closely following the developments in Afghanistan and believe that the formation of an inclusive government with the participation of all ethnic groups in the country is the foremost political solution that lies ahead of us,” Amir-Abdollahian said in a joint press conference with his visiting Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, here.
He added that Iran is pursuing contacts with all sides in Afghanistan and making use of the utmost capacities of its border crossings for trade and humanitarian aid delivery to the crisis-hit country.
The top Iranian diplomat said efforts to improve the economic situation in Afghanistan and speed up aid delivery to the country would help lower the number of Afghan refugees fleeing to neighboring countries.
He said Afghanistan’s interim government should be encouraged to fulfill and informed of its responsibility to promote peace, stability and security in the war-ravaged country.
The Taliban announced an interim government for Afghanistan in September, weeks after it took control of the country amid swift advances on the ground, which many attribute to a hasty withdrawal of U.S.-led foreign forces.
The 33-member cabinet is dominated by members of the Taliban’s old guard.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Amir-Abdollahian said Iran and Pakistan are determined to improve border, economic and trade cooperation at all levels.