Strategic pacts pose no threat to neighbours: Karzai

KABUL had signed with foreign countries, insisting the accords posed no threat to any country, including Iran.

Replying to a question from reporters during a joint press conference with visiting French President Francois Hollande in Kabul, Karzai said they had historic religious, cultural and linguistic relations with Iran and Afghanistan had always preferred good ties with the neighbouring country.

His remarks come a day after a knowledgeable source told Pajhwok Afghan News that Iran had set aside $25 million for blocking the parliamentary approval of the Afghan-US strategic cooperation agreement.

The neighbouring country had allegedly paid the amount to a Wolesi Jirga member Hazrat Ali in return for opposing the deal, a claim rejected by the Iranian Embassy in Kabul as preposterous.

The strategic agreement between the US and Afghanistan was signed by presidents of the two countries in Kabul last month. The accord has been endorsed by foreign affairs commissions of both houses of Afghan parliament and being presented before the Wolesi Jirga on Saturday.

Karzai said besides US, they had signed strategic agreements with India, Germany, Australia, France, England and Italy.

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