Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Gholamali Khoshroo emphasized on Tuesday, at a session on situation in Afghanistan before the UN Security Council that “National Unity Government of Afghanistan needs robust and sustained support by the international community. This is of utmost importance to establish lasting peace and stability in this part of the world.”

Following is the full text of his full speech:

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Mr. President,

I would like to thank the Russian presidency of the Council for organizing this meeting, Ambassador Saikal of Afghanistan for his statement as well as SRSG Yamamoto for Afghanistan and Head of UNAMA for presenting his report.

As the report indicates unfortunately, security continues to remain Afghanistan’s major challenge. Enhancing the security situation is one of the main requirements of long-term stability and socio-economic development. To respond to this challenge, the National Unity Government of Afghanistan needs robust and sustained support by the international community. This is of utmost importance to establish lasting peace and stability in this part of the world.

As a neighboring country, Iran has been steadfast in supporting and promoting Afghanistan’s security and stability as well as its socio-economic development which are very closely interlinked.

Our support for the Afghan National Unity Government is unrelenting. We welcome any achievement in the path to the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process leading to lasting and comprehensive peace in Afghanistan. It is in this context that Iran welcomed and continues to participate in the Kabul process as well as any other similar processes to help bring peace and security in Afghanistan.

Iran welcomed the recent temporary cease-fire announced between the Government and the Taliban as well as the Government’s well intention for its continuation. We also welcome the recent positive developments in relations between our two neighbors, Afghanistan and Pakistan. We hope this will be continued and further strengthened.

Terrorism and extremism are not only a threat to Afghanistan and its neighboring countries, but also to the regional and international peace and security. Counter-terrorism efforts must have the highest priority. In the same vein, supporting Afghanistan’s counter terrorism measures advances regional and international peace and security. In this regard, we believe that the growing threat of Daesh and its affiliates should not be underestimated in Afghanistan.

As we are approaching the elections in Afghanistan, and taking into account the role that successful elections in strengthening the political institutions and national unity in this country, improved security condition becomes more relevant and essential.

Iran also attaches great importance to promoting regional cooperation in support of peace, stability and development in Afghanistan. We welcome the continued work of the joint committees entrusted with formulating a comprehensive framework agreement for bilateral cooperation. We hope this will soon lead to this agreement’s conclusion ensuring a sustained and increasing cooperation between the two countries. The ongoing efforts in Chabahar Port will indeed have a significant impact on promoting trade and economic cooperation with Afghanistan. Any attempt to disrupt this vital project will play in the hands of those who do not want peace and development for Afghan people. We need unconditional international support for such innovative projects.

We believe that special attention should be paid to combating the interlinked sources of insecurity and instability in Afghanistan, in particular the production of and trade in narcotic drugs as a major source of income for terrorist, extremist and illegal armed groups. Accordingly, the international community must support the relevant international and regional projects and activities, especially the tripartite initiatives by Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan to fight the menace of narcotics.

We continue to support and commend the dedicated work of UNAMA and the United Nations agencies in providing development and reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan. Sustained ownership and partnership with the Afghan Government are needed in order to utilize the best potential of UNAMA and the United Nations system to deliver the necessary services in priority areas, as requested by the national Government.

As always, I would like to conclude my statement by expressing Iran’s solidarity with the fraternal people of Afghanistan and reassure them of our full support in their challenging endeavor to reach peace and prosperity in their country.

I thank you, Mr. President.