TOKYO (IRNA) - An Iranian Foreign Ministry official said here on Wednesday that Iran has so far accomplished 333 big and small reconstruction projects, at the cost of $50 million, in the war-torn Afghanistan.

Head of Foreign Ministry department for Afghan affairs, Mohammad-Ebrahim Taherian told the two-day meeting of the Afghan Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board that Iran has actively taken part in the Afghan reconstruction over the past six years.
It is the seventh meeting of he Afghan Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board being held in Tokyo for coordination between representatives of the donor countries and the Afghan government ministers.
Taherian said that the Islamic Republic’s assistance to Afghanistan is continuing.
As to production of illicit drugs in Afghanistan, he said increase in drugs production has caused a major obstacle in the way of establishment of stability in the region.
Drugs can be considered as the main cause of terrorism and insecurity in Afghanistan, Taherian said, adding that the issue has become a cause of concern for the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Afghanistan produces more than 90 percent of the world’s opium.
The Iranian envoy further regretted over deterioration of security in that war-ravaged country in 2007, saying there is no bright prospect for establishment of security in that country in the current year.
“Continued insecurity in Afghanistan has led to arrival of a large number of illegal refugees in the neighboring states, particularly Iran,” he added.
Establishment of constructive relations with Afghanistan should be based on mutual respect as well as observing territorial integrity and non-interference in its domestic affairs, Taherian added.
He expressed hope that the Afghan nation would witness establishment of peace and stability in their own country through efforts made by the international community and the country would find its real position at the international arena.
Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura opened the two-day closed-door meeting, attended by 24 nations and international organizations on Tuesday.
The participants, in a communiqué issued in the meeting, noted that Taliban, related armed groups, terrorism, and narcotics continue to pose a challenge, inhibiting the peace process; and governance has been challenged by capacity constraints, weak rule of law, and corruption.
They agreed on the need for the Afghan government to strengthen its authority in a bid to bring social order and security.
The participants also agreed that the Afghan government and the international community must adopt holistic and comprehensive strategies.