KABUL -- Iran and Afghanistan discussed here Monday possible ways to bolster bilateral political, economic and cultural ties as well as key regional and international developments.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, in a meeting with visiting Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia-Pacific Affairs Mohsen Aminzadeh, expressed satisfaction over his country's reconstruction drive and appreciated Iran's role to this effect.

Karzai said that development and stabilization of peace and security in Afghanistan would be beneficial to the neighboring and regional countries and the entire world as he called for understanding and cooperation of the country's all neighbors, IRNA reported.

"Afghanistan's transitional government intends to move the country toward expansion of welfare and security and seeks help from all its neighbors including the Islamic Republic of Iran," he said.

The president noted that Iran played a decisive role in the positive trend of Afghan developments and hoped bilateral ties and cooperation would further consolidate in the future. Aminzadeh, for his part, noted that security and development are among important priorities of Afghanistan's current situation and said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran will have friendly cooperation and effort to strengthen the two factors in Afghanistan."

"Tehran supports any measure which would lead to Afghanistan's reconstruction and establishment of sustainable security in that country," Aminzadeh said.

He voiced concerns of Iran and the international community over the continuation of production and smuggling of narcotics in Afghanistan and called for constructive strategies to settle the problem.

In related development, Aminzadeh met here Monday with Afghan Education Minister Yunis Qanuni on bilateral relations and cooperation, the latest progress made in Iran's projects in Afghanistan reconstruction and continuation of aid in the country's education sector.

The two sides discussed implementation of accords already reached between the two sides in education sector including setting up of on-the-job training courses and donation of printing house to the Afghan Education Ministry.

Qanuni expressed appreciation over Iran's support for the Afghan government.

Aminzadeh urged strengthening of the central Afghan government to establish security and said Iran will do its best in this regard.

He voiced Iran's readiness to cooperate with the Afghan Education Ministry.

Heading a delegation, Aminzadeh arrived here Sunday morning for a two-day visit and met with a number of high-ranking Afghan officials.

He earlier held talks with Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and Defense Minister Mohammad Qasim Fahim on bilateral relations as well as issues of mutual interests.

He also met with Director-General of UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (UNODCCP) Antonio Maria Costa and UN Secretary General's Special Envoy to Afghanistan Lakhdar Brahimi on political and security situation in Afghanistan and smuggling and production of illicit drugs in that country.