KABUL (Pajhwok): Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday urged regional countries to focus on fostering friendship instead of harbouring rivalries.
Speaking at the Persian New Year festival in Kabul, he called Nawroz a commitment to a continued push for development. While stressing the need for regional cooperation, he urged joint efforts to combat extremism.
He suggested the cultural commonality that should be transformed into politico-economic cooperation, as well as a tool of unity among regional countries to raise living standards of people.
With spring in the air, regional countries should moderate their policies, he observed, asking political leaders to move beyond meetings and fight against extremism.
“We should follow the culture of spring-cleaning our homes besides reforming our governments by putting an end to rivalries and promoting peace and friendship,” Rouhani added.
The Iranian president remarked the weather change, if not accompanied by political moderation, would be meaningless. “We can’t preach moderation in a region where a small group is sowing the seeds of disunity.”
Afghanistan had been a victim of ignorance and extremism, fighting against a variety of ideologies, ranging from communism to fundamentalism, he said.
“On behalf of Iranian people, I wish peace and moderation in Afghanistan and the entire region. Iran will do all it can to promote these ideals,” he said, hoping the April 5 elections would represent a stride toward Afghanistan’s development.
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