(MENAFN- Pajhwok Afghan News) KABUL (Pajhwok): Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi says the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) seeks maintaining positive ties with neighbouring and other countries based on mutual respect, and wants to resolve all issues through dialogue and negotiations and believes that war benefits no one.

He made these remarks during a scientific and research seminar titled“The Policy of IEA in Attracting Investment,” organised by the Academy of Sciences.

He said the policy of IEA was to establish good relations with all countries--- both neighbouring and others--- based on mutual respect.

“We want all issues to be resolved through dialogue and negotiations and believe war is not in the interest of any side. All matters should be addressed based on a reasonable and logical framework, grounded in mutual respect and win-win principles. Both countries should live in peace and maintain friendly relations,” he stated.

Hanifi added:“We have not attacked or invaded anyone, nor will we do so in the future. This is the policy of IEA. However, if anyone attacks or invades our country, then defending it is our Islamic, national and international right. Beyond that, we do not intend to violate anyone's rights.”

He also referred to the recent return of Afghan refugees, saying that around 4.5 million Afghan refugees had been forcibly repatriated from neighbouring countries in recent times.

However, he did not provide further details regarding the timeframe of their return.

“Believe me, most of these returnees came back to the country with only a single set of clothes and had nothing else,” he said.

He added that IEA, to the extent of its capacity, had provided assistance to these returnees in various areas, and urged national businessmen to help them too, especially when winter was approaching.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Economy (MoE) said such seminars could have a positive impact on the current economic situation.

He added that in 1404 solar year, all budgetary units of IEA had a total of 501 projects, of which 59 had been completed, 235 were under implementation, 121 were in the procurement phase and work on 61 had not yet started.

Hanif said out of the 501 projects, 171 were new and 330 were transitional projects carried over from the previous government. Of the total projects, 340 were construction-related and 161 were service-based.

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