Iran is ready to increase diesel exports to Afghanistan, said deputy oil minister, adding that negotiations are underway to prepare the ground for oil exports to the eastern neighbor.
Following a meeting between Afghanistan's national security adviser, Mohammad Hanif Atmar, and Iran's deputy oil minister for international affairs, Amir-Hossein Zamani-Nia, the two countries expressed willingness to expand energy cooperation, IRNA reported.
Export of gas, oil products, and engineering services were among issues discussed, Zamani-Nia said, adding: "Iran is determined to meet Afghanistan's energy needs through a stable and long-term partnership."
"Energy cooperation between the two neighbors can accelerate the return of stability and security to Afghanistan," Zamani-Nia said. Further negotiations are planned already to increase energy exchange.
Also in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran on Tuesday, Atmar underlined that expansion of ties with Iran tops Kabul’s agenda.
In 2012, Tehran and Kabul signed an agreement for an annual export of one million tons of Iranian oil products, including diesel, jet fuel and gasoline to Afghanistan.
Iran is among the major donors of civilian aid to Afghanistan, keeping its promises to help reconstruct the war-ravaged country. Over the past decade, Iranian contractors have built several power transmission lines, border stations and many other infrastructure projects across Afghanistan.
