By NNN-IRNA
Tehran : Strengthening of regional treaties is a key factor to prevent the promotion of a unipolar system and will benefit regional nations, peace and security, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said.
The president launched a three-nation tour of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan to hold talks with senior officials of the three countries over major bilateral, regional and international developments.
Speaking to reporters before leaving here for Kabul on the first leg of his three-nation tour Tuesday, the president said attending the Summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Kyrgyzstan was one of the major goals of his tour.
The summit will begin in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, on Thursday.
Referring to the SCO as a significant regional organisation, President Ahmadinejad said the Asia and Central Asia regions enjoy many common demands, issues and potentials which would help promote bilateral relations among their member states.
He stressed that he would hold separate meetings with his counterparts from SCO member states to enhance bilateral relations.
As for his visit to Afghanistan, the president said it was taking place at the official invitation of President Hamid Karzai.
“Iran and Afghanistan are two neighbouring and brotherly countries that share common history, culture and interests,” said the president.
He stressed that existing regional situation made it necessary for Tehran and Kabul to have some consultations over bilateral relations, economic issues, investment and development projects as well as regional and security matters.
President Ahmadinejad said the people of Afghanistan needed help and different methods to develop the war-torn country and restore complete security nationwide.
As for his visit to Turkmenistan, President Ahmadinejad said discussing promotion of Tehran-Ashkhabad cooperation in the fields of transportation, trade, energy and joint investments as well as consultation over major regional developments were among key objectives of his visit to the Central Asian country.
Noting that Iran, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan were working together on an anti-drug smuggling campaign, the president said the problem of drugs smuggling is the outcome of the presence of foreign forces in the region.