Stable Afghanistan meets the regional interests: President Karzai

The durable peace and stability in the post-war Afghanistan would serve regional security, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Thursday when he inaugurated the Dogharoon-Herat road linking Afghanistan and Iran.

"A prosperous, stable and peaceful Afghanistan is not only forthe interest of Afghans, but the larger interests of the neighboring countries and region," he told the audience at the ceremony.

Flanked by his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Khatami, he added that the road, which was built with 60 million US dollars by Iran,would enhance trade and economic activities between Afghanistan and its neighbors.

Both the presidents also inaugurated a 132kv power electricity supply post built by Tehran's assistance, which provides electricity for the western Afghan province of Herat.

Iran, as one of the major contributors in rebuilding war-battered Afghanistan among its neighbors, had pledged 500 million US dollars at the donors'conference in Tokyo in 2002.

A bridge connecting Iran's Zahidan to Afghanistan's Nemroz province was opened two months ago.

Speaking on the occasion, Iranian President Khatami assured Tehran's further assistance in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

"We support peace and stability in Afghanistan and believe that regional stability links to stability in Afghanistan," Khatami noted.

Source: Xinhua