Iran vows to export fuel, electricity for Afghanistan for water

Governor General Ali-Owsat Hashemi made the comment during a visit of Zabol City in Sistan and Balouchestan province to participate in a provincial crisis management meeting, when he was asked about the objectives of his upcoming visit of Afghanistan.



ˈThe visit will be on an invitation forwarded by the governor of Afghanistanˈs Nimrouz province,ˈ he added, further elaborating that the Iranian Sistan and Balouchestan province and the Afghan Nimrouz province have demands of each other that will be surveyed during that visit.



He said that the provincial governors, electricity, as well as water and environment protection officials have been directed to provide a comprehensive report on the demands of the governor of Afghanistanˈs Nimrouz province.



ˈIn addition to providing electricity for some parts of Afghanistan, the Iranian Sistan and Balouchestan province can provide the entire fuel shortage of Afghanistan,ˈ he said.



He added that the initial talks for provision of fuel for Afghanistan have been completed and that the Sistan and Balouchestan border province of Iran can shoulder that responsibility all alone.



That is while on January 29, 2013, the Iranian Energy Minister at the time Majid Namjoo and Afghan Energy and Water Minister Mohammad Ismail Khan signed an energy cooperation agreement to strengthen their links in the electricity and water sectors in Kabul.



Under the deal, the Islamic Republic will export more electricity to Afghanistan’s western provinces of Herat, Nimrouz, and Farah.



Namjoo also attended an inauguration ceremony for two 25-megawatt power generators donated by Iran.



“The Islamic Republic of Iran has once again proven its commitment to Afghanistan. There is no doubt that the escalating violence” in the country is undermining development and reconstruction projects, Namjoo said.



The Afghan energy and water minister criticized members of the international community for not fulfilling their commitments in regard to construction projects in Afghanistan.



“It is a reality that the international community has not yet implemented its… projects in Afghanistan, like the building of dams and job creation,” he stated.



Also in a meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai during that visit, Namjoo delivered a message from Iranian president.



Iran has provided a great deal assistance to Afghanistan over the past few years and has spent over 600 million dollars to build hospitals, schools, bridges, roads, and railways in the country.