Zarif:

Foreign Forces Bring No Stability to Region

Rasa - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday at Geneva Conference on Afghanistan that the military presence of trans-regional countries has brought no stability to the Middle East, saying that the introduction of the ISIL to Afghanistan is a new challenge for the war-torn country.

News ID: 441789

Date: 29 November 2018 - 11:53

RNA - Referring to the military presence of the US and some western countries in the Middle East and Afghanistan, Zarif said, "The presence of foreign forces has never brought stability in our region and has historically provided a recruiting ground for extremists."

Speaking at Geneva Conference on Afghanistan, Zarif underlined that there is national, regional and global consensus that there is no military solution in Afghanistan.

The Iranian diplomatic chief called for national reconciliation and inclusive political solution in Afghanistan, owned and led by the Afghan government and people.

Zarif opined that Geneva Conference on Afghanistan along with complimentary Kabul, Tashkent and Moscow formats attest to the same cause.

He warned that the introduction of the ISIL to Afghanistan is a new challenge, and highlighted that the new phenomenon "has led to more bloodshed and introduced dangerous sectarian tendencies".

"More dangerously, it has radicalized the local armed groups in a competition over followers and recruits," he went on to say, emphasizing, as no one gained from introducing and supporting Daesh (the ISIL) and other extremists in Syria and Iraq, no one will gain from introducing them to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

He urged the world that "this horrific trend needs to be arrested before it reaches catastrophic proportions".

He then touched upon the issue of narcotics cultivation in Afghanistan and said, " Terrorism and drug trafficking have always been mutually reinforcing in Afghanistan."

According to Fars News Agancy, Zarif underlined that a comprehensive strategy is needed in the call for fighting the drug menace in Afghanistan, and added that a program for boosting economic development "in this resource rich country" is a pre-requirement.

"Connectivity is a key, and Iran’s sea and rail links including Chabahar are essential for Afghan development," he said about Afghanistan's chances for tapping advantages of Iran's transportation infrastructures for the landlocked country, adding, however, that the US unilateral sanctions have impeded cooperation.

He then attached great significance to the intra-Afghan dialogue, saying, "All of us need to facilitate, by helping to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table with the Government for inclusive and comprehensive talks."

"Domestic and regional inclusion is key to success," Zarif underlined, before re-voicing, once again, Tehran's firm support for Afghanistan.

"Iran is ready to continue to help the people and government of Afghanistan in their quest for peace and cooperate with all with the same objective," he concluded.

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