Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, met Tuesday morning with Abdullah Abdullah, the Chief Executive of Afghanistan. Eshaq Jahangiri, the First Vice President of Iran, was also present at the meeting. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence described the existence of unity between the different ethnicities of Afghanistan as the most important solution for the problems of that country and pointing to the numerous capacities for cooperation between Iran and Afghanistan, he said: “The Islamic Republic considers the security, peace and progress of Afghanistan to be its own security and progress.”
Praising the innovative move to form a national unity government, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “I hope that by Allah’s favor, the national unity government will be manifested in reality because the solution to Afghanistan’s problems is creating real unity between ethnicities and officials.”
Pointing to the history of the peaceful coexistence of Shia and Sunni and of different ethnicities in Afghanistan, Ayatollah Khamenei stated: “Since long ago, we have known the people of Afghanistan to be patient, content, hard-working and pious people who enjoy a literary talent, but differences between ethnicities and the existence of schism weakens every nation.”
His Eminence referred to Iran’s support of the people of Afghanistan including its exceptional opposition to the occupation of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union and its support of Afghan mujahids, further adding: “In the present time too, the Islamic Republic is by Afghanistan’s side and it is hosting about three million citizens of your country.”
He described the presence of 16,000 Afghan students and graduates in Iran as a valuable opportunity for that country, reiterating: “With certain incentives, the Afghan administration should encourage these graduates to return to and render services to their country.”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution pointed to the existence of numerous capacities and resources in Iran – in scientific, technical and economic areas – and also the existence of rich natural and human resources in Afghanistan and stressed: “Increasing cooperation is to the advantage of both sides and with camaraderie and cooperation, some differences such as the issue of cross-border water resources should be resolved.”
Criticizing the policy of isolating Afghan mujahids in the recent years, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Isolating mujahids by labeling them as ‘warlords’ is a wrong policy. In a country which is subject to military and seditious invasions, the people themselves should be prepared to defend their own country with the spirit of jihad.”
His Eminence described lack of power in defending oneself as the reason why foreigners enter countries and interfere in their affairs. He added: “We witnessed how many people the Americans killed in Afghanistan and they inflicted many losses. However, they have not stopped doing this.”
He praised the spirit of resistance that the people of Afghanistan showed in the face of the invasions by England, Soviet Union and – in recent years – America, saying: “The spirit of resistance and piety in the people of Afghanistan is very deep. It is well-known in history that no occupier has managed to stay and to survive in Afghanistan.”
Abdullah Abdullah also thanked Iran for its support the government and people of Afghanistan and said: “The formation of the national unity government in Afghanistan was a good prescription and it eliminated many problems.”
The Chief Executive of Afghanistan stated that the main problem of Afghanistan is insecurity and the existence of terrorist groups. He stressed: “We will try to eliminate problems and to administer justice in all areas with reliance on God, with the unity and support of the people and also with the cooperation and support of our Iranian brothers and friends which has continued from the era of jihad and resistance until the present time.”
Thanking the Leader of the Islamic Revolution for his support of the Afghan nation and his recent edict to allow Afghan students to study in Iran, Abdullah Abdullah said: “This valuable support has created a special and outstanding position for Iran among the people and government of Afghanistan.”
He added: “There are good areas for cooperation between Iran and Afghanistan. In our negotiations with Iranian officials, we will try to examine and pursue an increase in the volume of cooperation.”
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