On Sunday, Tehran hosted the Meeting of the Special Representatives of Afghanistan’s Neighboring Countries Plus Russia, with the aim of discussing the latest developments in Afghanistan and South Asia.
Attendees included representatives from Pakistan, Russia, Uzbekistan, China, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
Iranian Araqchi opened the session by stressing that Afghanistan’s stability and development are essential not only for the country itself but for the entire region.
Afghanistan possesses unique human, economic, and natural capacities and has historically served as a bridge across neighboring regions, Araghchi stated, adding that its geoeconomic position connects Central, West, and South Asia, making its stability a strategic necessity.
Highlighting lessons from past foreign interventions, the minister noted that external decisions, including military interventions and two decades of NATO presence, failed to bring lasting peace or sustainable development.
He argued that overly security-focused approaches, disregard for Afghanistan’s social and cultural fabric, and neglect of regional actors contributed to these failures.
The lesson is clear that no external solution can resolve regional crises. Imported decisions do not guarantee stability, but regional, neighbor-driven solutions hold far greater potential, he emphasized.
The minister said that Iran has consistently advocated for Afghanistan’s full regional integration and stressed that neighboring countries, with their historical, cultural, and economic ties, are best placed to facilitate cooperation.
Araghchi called for a coordinated regional framework that moves beyond short-term rivalries and prioritizes collective security, shared interests, and sustainable development.
He underscored the importance of practical cooperation in trade, transport, energy, and cross-border relations to enhance Afghanistan’s role as a key transit hub linking Central, South, and West Asia.
A stable and connected Afghanistan benefits the entire region; therefore, the Afghan people should be at the center of all efforts, he said.
Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said that the meeting reflects ongoing consultations with neighbors, including Pakistan and Afghanistan, aimed at promoting peace, reducing tensions, and fostering regional cohesion.
According to Baqaei, Iran places great importance on the security and stability of its neighborhood and spares no effort to reduce tensions between regional countries and to promote mutual understanding among them.
IRNA