Iran Press/ Europe: In a meeting between Alireza Mahmoodi, Consular Director General of Iran’s Foreign Ministry, and Michael Spindelegger, the Director General of the International Center for Migration Policy Development, which happened on Monday in Vienna, important issues of mutual interest were discussed.Mahmoodi pointed to the costs that Iran has incurred to host more than 5 million Afghans over the past four decades and the heavy burden that this has placed on Iran's economy.
He underlined Iran's resolve to address the needs of the Afghan refugees, especially in terms of education and health, and said authorities have strongly emphasized the issue. Mahmoodi, however, slammed international bodies for their indifference and also for the double standard adopted by Western governments regarding the refugees.
Spindelegger, for his part, stressed the need to expand cooperation with Iran and highlighted Iran’s important role in handling migration. He then called for more talks and cooperation between the two sides.
In the meeting, the two officials agreed to carry on negotiations over multifaceted issues of migration.
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