Iran Says It Is Ready to Expand Oil and Gas Cooperation With Afghanistan
Iran’s ambassador in Kabul has said Tehran is ready to expand cooperation with Afghanistan in the fields of oil, gas, laboratory establishment and related areas. The issue was raised during his meeting with officials from the Taliban-run Ministry of Mines and Petroleum in Kabul.
In a statement, the Taliban Ministry of Mines and Petroleum said Ali-Reza Bikdeli, the Iranian ambassador, met on Sunday with Sheikh-ul-Hadith Abdul Rahman Qanat, the ministry’s deputy for policy and programs, in his office.
According to the Taliban administration, the two sides discussed economic cooperation between Afghanistan and Iran, mineral reserves and a number of other related issues during the meeting. The Iranian ambassador also stressed the expansion and strengthening of cooperation between the two countries, especially in the oil and gas sector, laboratory construction and other areas.
Meanwhile, the Taliban administration said Abdul Rahman Qanat also pledged any necessary cooperation from the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum to advance joint work.
Iran is one of Afghanistan’s western neighbours, and cooperation in the energy and mining sectors is among the longstanding issues in the two sides’ economic relations.
