Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani (L) and Afghan Parliament Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi meet on October 9, 2013 in Geneva on the sidelines of the 129th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly.<\/p>\n
Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani has highlighted Tehran™s role in helping restore security and stability to war-ravaged Afghanistan.\n<\/p>\n
œWe always make efforts for [helping establish] security in Afghanistan,” Larijani said in a meeting with his Afghan counterpart Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 129th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva.\n<\/p>\n
œThe Islamic Republic of Iran will do its utmost for the establishment of stability in Afghanistan,” said Larijani.\n<\/p>\n
The establishment of democracy in the war-wracked country can help its development as well, said the Iranian parliamentarian.\n<\/p>\n
Ibrahimi, for his part, praised Iran™s support for Afghanistan, adding that the two neighboring countries will stand by each other as they share numerous commonalities.\n<\/p>\n
He expressed hope that Iran will further contribute to the establishment of lasting peace in Afghanistan.\n<\/p>\n
The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington™s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but the country is still grappling with mounting insecurity.\n<\/p>\n
Iran, an immediate neighbor of Afghanistan, has called for a regional solution to the Afghan crisis and blamed the growing insecurity and drug trafficking in Afghanistan on the foreign military presence in the country.\n<\/p>\n
In a separate meeting with Ecuadorian Parliament Speaker Gabriela Rivadeneira, Larijani stressed the expansion of economic relations between Iran and the Latin American country, saying Iran™s Majlis was also keen to bolster its relations with Ecuador™s parliament.\n<\/p>\n
He also thanked Ecuador for supporting Iran in the international arena, particularly for backing Tehran™s nuclear energy program.\n<\/p>\n
He said certain entities have been trying to put pressure and slap sanctions on Iran to dissuade it from developing its civilian nuclear energy program, but to no avail.\n<\/p>\n
Larijani also once again reaffirmed the peaceful nature of Iran™s nuclear activities.\n<\/p>\n
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