BONN, Germany – Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has said that Iran is committed to supporting Afghanistan in its efforts to promote security and stability in the country.    

 

Salehi made the remarks during a speech at the International Afghanistan Conference, which was held in Bonn, Germany on December 5. 

 

The conference, which was chaired by the Afghans, brought together about 1000 representatives from around the world, including 90 foreign ministers. 

 

During his speech, Salehi stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran has made great efforts to help promote security in Afghanistan and has actively participated in the reconstruction process and will continue its cooperation.  

 

Unfortunately peace and security have not been established in Afghanistan over the past 10 years, and the presence of extra-regional forces has helped institutionalize terrorism rather than eliminate it, he added. 

 

In addition, insecurity, the death toll of civilians, the cultivation and smuggling of illicit drugs, and the number of refugees have increased since foreign troops began their occupation of Afghanistan, the Iranian foreign minister stated. 

 

He went on to say that Tehran condemns the blatant violation of human rights and attacks on civilians by foreign troops in Afghanistan and calls on the international community to take the measures necessary to prevent human rights abuses in the war-torn state.  

 

The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly supports the transfer of security to the Afghan government and believes that there is no military solution to security problems facing the Central Asian country and that negotiations among the Afghans would be possible through cooperation between neighboring states, he added. 

 

Salehi also said that Tehran is opposed to the United States keeping some forces in Afghanistan after 2014, adding that it runs counter to peace process in the war-ravaged country. 

 

He added that Iran is opposed to the conclusion of a strategic agreement between the U.S. and Afghanistan since it will pose a serious threat to regional security.  

 

Elsewhere in his remarks, Salehi commented that any political, cultural, or educational initiative introduced in regard to Afghanistan should be based on cultural norms of the country. 

 

In conclusion, Salehi said that Iran has been the initiator of conferences that would help resolve the issue of Afghanistan and supports efforts to hold such conferences. 

 

Iran plays influential role in promoting peace in Afghanistan 

 

The Iranian foreign minister held a meeting with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the sidelines of the conference on Monday. 

 

Ban, according to a translation of his remarks, said that Iran plays an influential role in promoting peace and security both in Afghanistan and the entire region. 

 

He also stated that he is keen to know Iran’s views on developments in Afghanistan and how the international community could help resolve problems gripping the country. 

 

In addition, Ban thanked the Islamic Republic for hosting about three million Afghan refugees, describing it as a gesture of humanity.   

 

He also hailed Iran’s commitment to combat drug smuggling and commemorated the lives of the Iranian people who lost their lives in the campaign against drugs. 

 

Salehi stated that the development of Afghanistan rests on increased security in the country and emphasized the importance of negotiations between Iran and the UN on Afghanistan. 

 

The UN should also take serious measures to help increase the stability and security of Afghanistan, he added. 

 

The Iranian foreign minister went on to say that those countries which are supporting terrorism and drug smuggling in Afghanistan should be identified. 

 

During the meeting, Salehi and Ban also discussed the latest developments regarding Iran’s nuclear program and the UN secretary general called for the negotiations and cooperation between Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency to continue. 

 

Salehi said that nuclear weapons do not have any place in the defense doctrine of the Islamic Republic. 

 

On the situation in Syria, Ban stated that Iran could play a very important and effective role in defusing crises engulfing the region. 

 

The top Iranian diplomat said that double-standard approaches should not be adopted in dealing with pro-democracy uprisings in certain regional countries. 

 

In addition, Ban expressed regret over the storming of the British Embassy in Tehran on November 29, and Salehi said that the incident was unpredictable. 

 

Germany hails Iran’s participation in Bonn conference 

 

Salehi also held a meeting with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Monday. 

 

Westerwelle, according to a translation of his comments, said that Germany counts on Iran’s help in combating terrorism, drug trafficking, and organized crimes in Afghanistan.  

 

The participation of the Islamic Republic in the conference illustrates that the country is determined to help the international community achieve a workable solution to the scourge of terrorism in the Asian country, the German foreign minister said, calling for Iran’s cooperation to continue. 

 

Salehi described the relationship between Iran and Germany as historical but criticized the stance that certain German figures have adopted toward Tehran. 

 

Westerwelle said that the German government and he himself have adopted a clear stance toward the Islamic Republic. 

 

Salehi meets Turkish, Bulgarian, Tajik, Swedish FMs   

 

Salehi also held separate meetings with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov, Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi, and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt on Monday. 

 

Bilateral issues, the issue of Afghanistan, and the latest international developments were discussed during the meetings.