Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, discussed strengthening border cooperation between the two countries during a telephone conversation with Noorullah Noori, Afghanistan’s Minister of Borders, Ethnicities, and Tribal Affairs.
According to a statement released by the Iranian Embassy in Kabul, Tehran will host a meeting on border cooperation between Afghanistan and Iran in the Solar Year 1405.
The statement added that both sides also described bilateral cooperation in border affairs as positive and emphasized the renewal and updating of border markers.
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said:
“Both sides, in addition to emphasizing the continuation and strengthening of
border cooperation between Iran and Afghanistan, also discussed the need to
rehabilitate and renew border documents and markers. The two officials agreed
to continue and accelerate joint technical and legal meetings to strengthen
border cooperation. They also agreed that professional and legal meetings
between Kabul and Tehran in this field should be held more rapidly. The next
meeting of this phase will be hosted by Iran in the 1405 Solar Year.”
The Ministry of Borders, Ethnicities, and Tribal Affairs did not provide details about the telephone call, but the ministry’s minister had assured Iran of Afghanistan’s full cooperation in the stabilization of the joint border and the installation of border markers during a meeting with the Iranian ambassador in Kabul last week.
Meanwhile, analysts believe that every country has the responsibility to observe international border principles and to deploy professional personnel along shared borders who are familiar with border laws.
Military affairs expert Asadullah Nadim said:
“In the talks held between officials of the two countries, the issue of people’s movement should be raised, and a serious demand should be made to ensure respect for Afghans.”
A few days earlier, the spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, Zabihullah Mujahid, said in an exclusive interview with Shamshad Television that the Islamic Emirate is committed to all border principles with Iran.
However, some other political analysts emphasize greater coordination between the government and neighboring countries to ensure better security along the borders.
Political analyst Idris Mohammadi Zazai said:
“Narcotics and terrorists are given space in one country or another, and to prevent these problems, measures such as building this wall have been taken into consideration.”
Afghanistan and Iran share a 921-kilometer-long border. To secure this border, Iran began constructing a wall along parts of it last year.
Analysts believe that border issues determine the direction of relations between the two countries, and if serious attention is paid to resolving border problems, this will further strengthen relations between Afghanistan and Iran.
