Iran’s Vice President has called on his government to strengthen relations with neighboring countries, especially Afghanistan.Mohammad Reza Aref stated that neighboring countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan provide great opportunities for Iran’s border provinces, including Khorasan Razavi.He said governors of border provinces played an important role in strengthening ties with neighbors and in light of this, Tehran will look at enhancing the status of these provinces and promote them in trade dealings with neighbors.Iran has been stepping up contact with Afghanistan’s rulers as part of a concerted bid to strengthen ties.
While Tehran has not yet officially recognized the Islamic Emirate government, commentators have noted that this could soon change.Regular meetings between Afghan and Iranian officials have been taking place – especially around boosting bilateral trade.In the latest initiative, Mohammadreza Nazeri, Iran’s Director-General of the Office of Economic Coordination, met with Shafiullah Azam, Director General of Economic Cooperation of the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Kabul and discussed economic relations between the two countries.Iran is one of Afghanistan’s most important economic partners, and trade volume between the two countries has increased to $4 billion; $55 million in exports from Afghanistan and $3.311 billion in imports.The post Iran’s Vice President advocates stronger ties with neighbors, especially Afghanistan first appeared on TINS News.