ISTANBUL -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Mehdi Akhondzadeh stated on Monday that the Afghan presidential election is very important for the country’s stability.

“Holding presidential election in Afghanistan is an important step in safeguarding its stability and security”, he stated during a meeting of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan in Istanbul, Turkey.
Congratulating Afghans for successfully holding the presidential election, Akhondzadeh expressed Iran’s readiness to support Afghanistan and cooperate with the new president.
The deputy foreign minister said the election negated extremism and improved security situation and economic development of the country.
Representatives from 20 countries and 6 international organizations are participating in the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP) meeting in Istanbul.
Many countries such as Canada, China, Italy, England and some Asian countries including Saudi Arabia and South Korea have attended the gathering.
FODP is a group aimed to extend support to the Democratic Government of Pakistan in its efforts to consolidate democracy in Pakistan and support social and economic development in the country.
Its last meeting was held at Tokyo on April, 17, 2009