14 August 2007: Kabul

Afghanistan and Iran Tuesday signed six memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements during President Mahmoud Ahmadinejads day-long maiden visit to Kabul.

One of the MoUs - envisaging all-round cooperation between the neighbours - was inked by Ahmadinejad and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai and the rest by ministers from the two countries.

A second agreement, signed by visiting Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and Finance Minister Anwarul Haq Ahady, pertains to capacity building of Afghan institutions and officials.

Mottaki and Agriculture Minister Obaidullah Ramin inked a third accord, under which Iran will help Afghanistan in the veterinary sector.

Under a fourth MoU, inked between Mottaki and Public Health Minister Sohrab Ali Safari, Iran will build a 110-kilometre road linking Farah City with the Iranian border area of Mailak.

Similarly, Mottaki and Interior Minister Zarar Ahmad Muqbil put their signatures to an agreement that commits the neighbours to jointly fighting terrorist, drugs and organised crime.

Ministers for mines from both sides also sign a pact that provides for Iranian investment in Afghanistans mineral sector development.

Also on Tuesday, the Iranian embassy here said three projects completed by the Iranian government were inaugurated in Kabul. The $2.6 million schemes include a water exploration centre, a stomatalogy faculty and a conference hall at the Kabul Medical University.

Source: Pajhwok Afghan News