Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): The recent meeting was held on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations meeting at the suggestion of the Islamic Republic of Iran and in the hotel where the foreign minister of this country resides and for the first time chaired by him.
In this quadrilateral meeting, the foreign ministers discussed the latest situation in Afghanistan. The meeting ended by issuing a statement with 19 paragraphs.
Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, strongly criticized the destructive role of America and NATO in Afghanistan and emphasized: These countries must be responsible for the current disastrous situation in Afghanistan.
Referring to the consequences of America's 20-year intervention in Afghanistan, he said: "The intervention of America and its long-term military presence in Afghanistan has not resulted in anything but misery and insecurity. These interventions took the lives and health of a large number of innocent Afghans and led to an increase in terrorism, drugs, corruption, poverty and displacement.
Araghchi added: "America and its allies left Afghanistan in 2021 with shame and dishonor, but they left all the turmoil for Afghanistan and its neighbors. The fact should never be forgotten that America and NATO are responsible for many of the problems that Afghanistan and its neighbors are dealing with today.
Expressing serious concerns about the economic and humanitarian situation of Afghanistan, Iran's foreign minister said that more than 23 million people still need help and that the reduction of international aid is a big concern for neighboring countries.
He emphasized: "As a close neighbor, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been severely affected by the flow of refugees and illegal immigrants. "Since the US withdrawal in August 2021, massive migration from Afghanistan has put enormous pressure on Iran, while we are under illegal sanctions."
Referring to the hosting of more than six million Afghans in Iran and the annual cost of more than 10 billion dollars to meet their needs, Araghchi stated: "The international community must provide continuous support to the main host countries such as Iran. Humanitarian aid for refugees must be impartial and without conditions and political interference."
Criticizing the unilateral US sanctions that have negatively affected the provision of humanitarian aid to Afghan refugees, he said: "This action is inhumane and illegal. The frozen assets of Afghanistan must be returned unconditionally, and sanctions must not hinder its economic recovery."
Iran's foreign minister warned about Afghanistan's security situation and said: "Terrorist groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda threaten not only the people of Afghanistan but also the security of the region. Neighboring countries cannot allow terrorism and violent extremism to take root in Afghanistan."
Emphasizing the necessity of cooperation with the Afghan authorities to fight terrorism, Araghchi added: "We must strengthen our cooperation in the field of fighting terrorism and form a united front against these destructive forces. Our message must be clear: terrorism in Afghanistan and the region." We have no place."
He also emphasized the common commitment to improve humanitarian and socio-economic conditions in Afghanistan and stated: "We must not allow political motives to prevent us from providing vital aid to the people of Afghanistan. Our Western partners must understand that depriving an entire population of Basic needs will not promote human rights and improve the situation of women and girls."
In the end, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi announced the readiness of the Islamic Republic of Iran to play a more active role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and asked the international community to cooperate more in the fight against drugs, terrorism and the issue of refugees.