TEHRAN -- Iran is serious in combating drug transit, but the West should also play its part in this regard, Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel said here on Tuesday.

In a meeting with Muhammad Hussain Alami Balkhi, the chairman of the Afghan Parliament Justice and Judicial Affairs Committee, Haddad-Adel expressed concern about increased opium cultivation in Afghanistan.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is fully prepared to help Afghanistan solve its problems,” Haddad-Adel added.

Tehran’s policy is to assist Afghanistan to promote its security, stability, and development, he noted, adding that there is still great potential to expand parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, which should be realized.

Haddad-Adel voiced hope that the Afghan people would take the management of their country into their own hands once the occupiers leave the country. Alemi Balkhi said, “Afghanistan calls for boosting brotherly relations with the Islamic Republic in all areas.”

Terrorism and drugs are Afghanistan’s major problems, he noted, adding, “The Afghan government is very serious in combating drugs, but the cultivation and production of drugs take place in regions which are out of the government’s control.”