TEHRAN -- Head of the interim Afghan government Hamid Karzai said in Moscow on Wednesday that Afghanistan needs to strengthen its ties with Iran and remembered Iran as his best foreign trip ever since he accepted political responsibility five months ago.

On the last day of his official visit of the Russian Federation, in a press conference, Karzai said that there should be absolutely no doubt about the existence of excellent and friendly relations between the two neighbor countries of Iran and Afghanistan.

Appreciating warmly the Iranian nation and government's invaluable assistance, rendered to the Afghan nation in their war against the occupying red army of the former Soviet Union, Karzai further emphasized that Kabul-Tehran ties will expand to an unprecedentedly high level in the future.

The head of the interim Afghan government has traveled to many Asian and European countries ever since he accepted responsibility, trying to build up a new reputation for his country, while attracting the world attention to the emergency situation in Afghanistan and the urgent need to international monetary assistance.

He said that the hospitality rendered to him in Iran and the memorable moments of that trip were the best denominator of the high level historic ties between the two nations, IRNA reported .

Karzai added, "I and my accompanying delegation to Iran had comprehensive talks with many Iranian authorities, but my few rounds of talk with Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and President Mohammad Khatami were of exceptionally great significance." All in all, Karzai evaluated his trip to Iran not only as a most memorable experience, but one with great constructive significance.

In reply to a reporter's question on the effect of arresting 12 Iranians in Afghanistan, the Afghan leader said, "The news in that regard were based on rumors, and furthermore, such issues are quite natural and insignificant, and can, therefore, play no role at all in the excellent relations between the two neighboring countries."