UN envoy to Afghanistan meets Mottaki

TEHRAN — United Nations representative to Afghanistan Tom Koenings here on Sunday held a meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki on recent developments and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. 

Mottaki appreciated United Nations’ role in establishing security in Afghanistan.
 

Iran is always prepared to help UN solve problems in Afghanistan as well as other countries, he added.
 

Expressing dissatisfaction over the security situation in the neighboring country, Mottaki called on NATO forces to fulfill their main duty in establishing security in the country and help Afghans to take over the management of their country.
 

Iran’s top diplomat also said that all countries should show a dogged determination in the campaign against drug production and smuggling in Afghanistan.
 

About 90 percent of the world’s opium is produced in Afghanistan. There has been no cut in opium production in Afghanistan since the Taleban-ruled government was overthrown in a U.S. attack in 2001.
 

Briefing Mottaki on Afghan developments, Tom Koenings thanked Iran’s support for settling problems in the war-torn country.
 

In addition to the regional states’ support for Afghanistan all local groups and tribes should observe the constitution and support the democratically-elected government in its efforts to establish security in the country.
 

Tehran Times Political Desk