Iran, Afghanistan boost commercial ties

The Iranian official made the remark during the third joint Iran-Afghanistan economic commission on Monday, IRIB reported.

Mottaki underlined the need for further expansion of ties between the two neighboring countries in various areas, including insurance, banking, transportation, energy and agriculture.

He went on to say that construction of a railway between the Iranian city of Khaf and the Afghan city of Herat was also on the agenda, a move that will serve as an extensive resource to the Silk Road railway network linking the countries of Central Asia with Europe.

The top Iranian diplomat also pointed out that both countries remain keen to expand cooperation in anti-narcotics trafficking as well as smuggling of goods across borders.

The third joint Iran-Afghanistan economic commission opened on Monday, during which both sides discussed economic and security issues.