Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has stressed the importance of promoting relations with neighboring countries, calling for strengthening cooperation with Afghanistan, Press TV reported.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has always stood by the Afghan people and supports the establishment of security and progress in Afghanistan," Fars news agency quoted President Ahmadinejad as saying in a meeting with Afghan Minister of Finance Omar Zakhilwal in the Iranian capital city, Tehran, on Sunday.
"Iran gives priority to the expansion of economic exchanges with neighboring countries and sets no limitation to bolstering economic cooperation with Afghanistan," the Iranian president added.
He also highlighted the significance of establishing security and political stability in Afghanistan and urged occupiers to leave the war-wrecked country at the earliest.
The Iranian chief executive criticized certain countries for spending money on militarism in Afghanistan and said, "If that money is paid for the country's reconstruction and the establishment of security and progress, it will be effective in resolving Afghan's problems."
The Afghan minister, for his part, said Tehran and Kabul enjoy growing economic cooperation and added that the Afghan government seeks to further promote relations with Iran.
Zakhilwal, who has also served as the chief economic advisor to the president of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, added that despite pressure, the Afghan government welcomes the country's complete independence.