TEHRAN – Director of the National Migration Agency Nader Yar Ahmadi and Goucher Cortals Artes, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussed ways to support Iran in receiving Afghan nationals.
The meeting held in Tehran on Friday was also attended by Emile de Bont, the Dutch ambassador to Iran. The plan centered on attracting infrastructure and financial aid from other countries to enable Iran to provide services to refugees, Tasnim news agency said.
During the meeting, Kosals praised Iran’s efforts and generosity in hosting refugees, despite the country’s difficult situation, and praised its cooperation with international organizations, especially the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
“We are well aware of the burden of hosting refugees and, political differences aside, we stand ready to work together to resolve these issues,” the official said.
There should be widespread global support for host countries to reduce the overall burden, he added.
Mr. Yar’Ahmadi said that developing cooperation with international organizations, increasing productivity and benefiting from joint experience to address problems is one of the main tasks of the National Migration Agency.
The official further said that the outbreak of war between Pakistan and Afghanistan and the lack of international contributions have delayed the unauthorized return of Afghans.
Fulfilling bilateral commitments and promoting cooperation between Iran and international organizations will help better manage and address the issue, he added.
Mr. Devon visited the Migrant Service Center in Tehran together with UNHCR representatives. Iranian officials emphasized people-centered policies, empowerment of employment, and respect for human dignity in the treatment of refugees. The two leaders also expressed their hope that this visit will serve as a basis for expanding international cooperation to provide better services to refugees.
International Organization for Migration praises Iranian services
Kim Erin, Senior Advisor to the Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), praised the country’s efforts in hosting and providing services to Afghan refugees.
IOM officials met with Iranian Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Batai on Monday on the sidelines of the 76th Annual Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to be held from October 6 to 10 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Mr. Elling praised the country’s efforts in hosting the Afghan nationals and said reduced aid from donor countries was the main challenge for the United Nations in moving the project forward.
Iranian officials stressed that “despite unilateral mandatory sanctions, Iran has been providing important services to foreign nationals.”
Iran wants donor countries to take on some of the responsibility by allocating appropriate aid to projects being implemented in the country, the official added.
Iranian officials’ plans include speaking and meeting with Filippo Grandi, the High Commissioner for Refugees, and Kamal Kishore, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction.
MT/MG