TEHRAN (FNA) -- Afghanistan's outgoing ambassador to the Islamic Republic described Iran as an important neighbor of his country, and stressed that Kabul views its relations with Tehran as a significant opportunity.

According to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry's Information and Press Bureau, Mohammad Omar Dawood Zi made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki here in Tehran on Saturday.

During the meeting, Mottaki noted the two countries' good ties, and stressed the need for the further expansion of relations between Iran and Afghanistan, saying that Tehran has arranged a meeting for the next month to study the pace and rate of the implementation of the agreements made by the two countries during the past joint economic commission meetings of the Iranian and Afghan officials.

He also said that during the prospect meet, the two sides would explore avenues for expanding economic cooperation, given the high potentials that exist in both countries.

For his part, Afghanistan's outgoing ambassador to Tehran conveyed a message from his country's foreign minister to Mottaki, and said that Kabul views its ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran as a significant opportunity.

"Considering Afghanistan's deep enthusiasm for cooperation with Iran, we are striving to take giant strides to develop and deepen ties with the Islamic Republic and meantime enjoy the valuable experiences of Iran," the diplomat concluded.