TEHRAN – Iranian Parliament speaker, Ali Larijani, has underlined the need to forge closer ties with Afghanistan in line with the mutual interests of both nations.

In a Sunday meeting with Afghan Parliament Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi in Tehran, Larijani pointed to various religious, cultural and historical commonalities between the two countries and described Afghanistan as a friendly and brotherly country.

Ibrahimi is in Tehran to participate in the ongoing meeting of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation Member States (PUOICM).

The Iranian parliament speaker said the two countries’ parliaments can play a significant role in boosting reciprocal ties, especially in the fields of economy and trade.

Larijani further referred to terrorism as the main challenge facing Afghanistan and said the scourge can be eliminated by adopting right and logical policies and approaches along with national resistance against terrorists and their supporters.

Larijani pointed to the history of resistance of the oppressed Afghan nation against aggressors and said the Iranian nation has always stood by the Afghan people in their fights against invasion of bullying powers and have hosted millions of Afghans for three decades.

Ibrahimi, for his part, termed Iran as a big and important country in the region and as a friend and brother for Afghanistan, praising Iran’s support for Afghanistan.

He appreciated Iran’s initiative to host the PUOICM meeting, stressing the necessity of unity among Muslims and finding sustainable solutions for the problems plaguing the Muslim world.

Ibrahimi expressed hope that stability and tranquility will return to Afghanistan through the continued assistance of friendly countries like Iran. (PT)