Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Kabul: Dr. Fazal al-Hadi Wazin, a member of the scientific board of the Center for Strategic and Regional Studies in Kabul, in an interview with AVA, welcomed the first visit of the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Afghanistan and called this a good and positive step towards strengthening relations between the two countries.
The political analyst said: "Afghanistan and Iran are two brotherly countries, neighbors and have common religious, cultural and historical relations. In addition, they also have mutual economic interests. Therefore, strengthening relations is in the interest and good of both countries."
According to Vazin, “Any step taken to strengthen and consolidate relations between Kabul and Tehran will be in the interest of both countries and even the region.”
Referring to the upcoming visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister, he added: “This visit will provide a basis for exchanging views and discussing issues that could be a source of conflict and disagreement between the two countries.”
Vazin continued: “It is natural that in some cases, there are different views between the two countries in different areas, but these exchanges can put an end to these differences.”
The political analyst also addressed the issue of Iran’s water rights, which has sometimes caused dissatisfaction with Afghanistan, and said: “This issue can be resolved within the framework of the 1972 treaty, and the Afghan side is committed to this treaty.”
He concluded by expressing hope that “meetings and negotiations between the two countries will continue so that its positive effects can be seen in the future for both nations and countries.”
Economic, political and security needs; The main driver of bilateral relations
Meanwhile, political affairs expert Quddus Khatibi also considered the Iranian Foreign Minister's visit to Afghanistan unrelated to US domestic issues in an interview with Ava. He clarified: "This visit is mainly based on the economic, political and cultural needs of the two countries, which are felt more than ever in the current situation."
According to Khatibi, "The common positions of Iran and Afghanistan on international issues, including US and Western policies, as well as support for the causes of Palestine, Lebanon and confrontation with Israel, have brought the two countries closer together."
He added: "Exchanging security information between Iran and Afghanistan, especially against terrorist groups active in the region and the recent movements of terrorists in some parts of Pakistan, is a need that both countries feel."
Khatibi continued: "Iran is pursuing its interests in the region, and one of the countries that can provide a favorable and tension-free atmosphere for Iran is Afghanistan. This is also true in the economic sector, because Iran, due to its geographical proximity to Afghanistan, can be a suitable destination for the import and export of this country's goods."
He emphasized: "Apart from religious, linguistic and cultural commonalities, political inevitabilities in the current situation are also another factor that has made closer relations between the two countries necessary. Currently, Iran and Afghanistan can be a ray of hope for each other."
Khatibi also added: "Regional countries usually need each other politically, security and economically. However, Iran and Afghanistan, given the current political equations in the region and the world, have a greater need for mutual relations."
He expressed hope that relations between Afghanistan and Iran will be considered in the future from the perspective of two countries of the same religion and culture so that these relations remain strong and sustainable.
Official announcement of the visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister to Afghanistan
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kabul announced on Thursday, February 25, that Seyed Abbas Araqchi, the country's Foreign Minister, will soon visit Kabul. However, the exact details of the time and objectives of the visit have not yet been announced.
Meanwhile, Zakir Jalali, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, welcomed the news and emphasized: “This visit can take relations between the two countries to a new stage.”
This is the first visit by a Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Afghanistan after the Islamic Emirate regained power in 1400, and given Abbas Araqchi’s close familiarity with the process of negotiations and relations between the two countries, it is expected to be a fruitful visit.