Pres. Raisi: In case of Afghanistan, best thing to do is to let people decide their own destiny

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Welcoming the French President's proposal to review relations between the two countries and start a new chapter in bilateral relations and Tehran-Paris regional cooperation, the President said, "The Iranian government welcomes the development of relations with France, especially in the economic and trade fields, and we are ready to start comprehensive cooperation with Europe from France”.

Welcoming the French President's proposal to review relations between the two countries and start a new chapter in bilateral relations and Tehran-Paris regional cooperation, the President said, " The Iranian government welcomes the development of relations with France, especially in the economic and trade fields, and we are ready to start comprehensive cooperation with Europe from France”.

Speaking with French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday afternoon be telephone, Ayatollah Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi emphasised, "Certainly, the political independence of Iran and France is a valuable resource for establishing a balanced, strong and stable relationship between the two countries, and our common interests in preventing the involvement of external factors in these relations”.

In response to the French President's remarks about the meeting of the heads of Iraq's neighbouring countries in Baghdad, Ayatollah Raisi said, “Iran has always been by the side of the Iraqi people at different junctures”.

“The policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran has always been supporting the people of Iraq for establishing peace in the region and we consider intra-regional cooperation to be very useful in creating security and peace in the region,” he said.

Regarding the efforts of countries in the region and the world to fight terrorism and ISIL, the President said that ISIL was created and supported by the Americans, adding, “Americans must be held accountable to world public opinion for supporting ISIL and the new terrorism”.

Condemning the policies of some countries that divide terrorism into good and bad, Ayatollah Raisi stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran condemns terrorism in any form and that in our view there is no difference between ISIL in Damascus, ISIL in Iraq and ISIL in Khorasan”.

Regarding the issue of Afghanistan, Ayatollah Raisi said that the Americans had made a big mistake in Afghanistan and that 20 years of occupation had not benefited its people, saying, “In the current situation, everybody must help a comprehensive government to be formed with the cooperation of all groups in Afghanistan and let the people of Afghanistan decide their own destiny”.

Emphasising that the policy of NATO and US military intervention in Afghanistan has failed, the President said, "We must provide conditions for Afghan groups to achieve a model acceptable to all Afghans, and in this regard, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to contribute to establishment of peace, security and prevention of fratricide in Afghanistan”.

Ayatollah Raisi also announced the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the formation of a strong government in Lebanon that can ensure and protect the rights of the Lebanese people, saying, "We will not withhold any humanitarian assistance to the Lebanese people and are ready to cooperate with France for progress and development of Lebanon.”

The Lebanese people are suffering from economic sanctions today and France can play a role in lifting these sanctions, he said, adding, "The efforts and assistance of Iran, France and Hezbollah to form a strong government in Lebanon can benefit this country”.

Regarding the nuclear talks, the President said, "We have no objection to useful negotiations, but the program and result of the negotiations should be the lifting of sanctions against Iran. Negotiation for negotiation is useless."

In the same phone call, the President of France Emmanuel Macron emphasised the development and deepening of relations between Iran and France and the need to review the relations between the two countries, and said, “We should start a new movement with new axes in the relations between the two countries and start relations in various political, economic, cultural and regional cooperation areas”.

Referring to the recent developments in Afghanistan, the French President stressed, "I believe that the future government of Afghanistan must be the result of the national will of the people of this country and the Taliban in this country must adhere to issues such as human rights and international obligations."

Referring to the presence of Afghan refugees in Iran and the resulting problems, Macron stressed the assistance and cooperation of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in this regard with Iran.

Referring to the situation in Lebanon and the difficult conditions of the Lebanese people, he stressed the cooperation of France and Iran along with Hezbollah in Lebanon in creating a strong and efficient government in this country.

Referring to the nuclear issue, the French president also expressed hope that the Vienna talks on this issue would resume with the presence of Iran.

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