Afghanistan and Iran discuss trade, border transit and prisoner transfers

Afghanistan’s consul general in Mashhad and the governor of Iran’s Khorasan Razavi province have discussed expanding trade, improving border transit and accelerating the transfer of Afghan prisoners.

Noor Mohammad Mutawakkil, Afghanistan’s Consul General in Mashhad, met Dr Gholam Hossein Mozaffari, Governor of Khorasan Razavi Province, as Kabul and Tehran continue to focus on economic and border cooperation.

Focus on border and transit issues

According to a statement from the Afghan Consulate in Mashhad, the two sides discussed practical issues affecting movement between the neighbouring countries.

The consulate said the meeting focused on “resolving transport and transit problems at the Dogharoun border, facilitating and speeding up the transfer of Afghan prisoners, and addressing the issue of mandatory insurance for holders of Amayesh cards”.

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Mutawakkil also called for the resumption of passenger transport services between Herat and Taybad, saying the implementation of previous agreements was important for strengthening economic and transit links.

Officials also discussed security cooperation and counter-narcotics efforts, according to information released following the meeting.

Economic cooperation and investment

Mozaffari highlighted the cultural and economic ties between Afghanistan and Iran and said there was scope to further expand cooperation. He also described joint investment as one of the main areas for future collaboration.

The governor stressed the need to facilitate the issuance of work visas and improve the management of the entry and exit of Afghan citizens while preserving their dignity.

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Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Economy said economic cooperation between Afghanistan and Iran is focused on transit infrastructure, joint border markets and bilateral trade.

Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy, said: “Economic cooperation plans between Afghanistan and Iran are mainly focused on the development of transit infrastructure, the establishment of joint border markets in border areas, and the strengthening of trade between the two countries.”

Trade and border relations

Relations between Afghanistan and Iran in recent years have largely centred on trade, transit, border management and the movement of Afghan citizens in Iran.

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Afghanistan Iran International Relations International trade