Iran, Australia Discuss Cooperation on Afghanistan
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The foreign ministers of Iran and Australia weighed plans for cooperation between the two countries to help the Afghan people and ensure the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan.
In a telephone conversation on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Australian counterpart Marise Payne talked about a range of bilateral, regional and international issues.
Pointing to the successful visit that Australia’s special envoy for Afghanistan paid to Iran recently, Amirabdollahian said the trip helped Tehran and Canberra define new grounds for cooperation.
Expressing concern about the displacement of Afghans and the influx of thousands of Afghan refugees to the common border with Iran, the Iranian foreign minister reiterated the need for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan with the participation of all ethnic groups and also for the international community to care about the situation of displaced people.
He further highlighted the opportunities for the promotion of trade, investment and scientific cooperation between the private and state-run sectors of the two countries, pointing to the successful experience of development of Spikogen, a coronavirus vaccine developed jointly by Iranian and Australian companies.
On the ongoing talks in Vienna about the revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Amirabdollahian said Iran welcomes the achievement of a good deal in the negotiations.
He also highlighted Iran’s significant role in the fight against terrorism, hailed late Iranian commander Lt. General Qassem Soleimani as a national and international hero of the war on terrorism who contributed to regional peace and security, and called on Australia to act responsibly against the members of terrorist groups in that country.
For her part, Payne lauded Iran for its cooperation and highlighted the fruitful consultations held during the recent visit to Iran by Australia’s special envoy for Afghanistan.
She also expressed hope that close cooperation between Australia and Iran on Afghanistan would encourage the Taliban to honor their commitments and prevent Afghanistan from turning into a safe haven for the terrorist groups or crime such as human or drug trafficking.
Foreign Minister Payne finally welcomed the expansion of relations with Iran in various fields, saying her country supports the JCPOA negotiations in Vienna.
