DUSHANBE - Deputy Foreign Minister Mirwais Nab met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Sirajuddin Mehruddin, in Dushanbe-Tajikistan.

The Deputy Foreign Minister said that convening the Ninth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process was critical given the current volatile situation, emphasizing the Afghan government's commitment to continuing the peace talks while maintaining the achievements of the last nineteen years.

Mr. Nab noted that having a stable and democratic Afghanistan would be of vital significance for the region's stability and security and the economic development of the countries of Central and South Asia.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan assured Mr. Nab of Dushanbe's preparations for the 9th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process. He also added that the forthcoming visit of His Excellency Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, to Tajikistan was an excellent opportunity to strengthen further and expand the two friendly relations between brotherly countries.

 Referring to the amicable relations between Kabul and Dushanbe, Mr. Mehruddin also assured his country's support toward the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's position regarding the peace negotiations with the Taliban.