TEHRAN Oct. 18 (Shana) � Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh has supported export of oil products to neighboring Afghanistan saying government-sponsored lawful shipments will check cross-border smuggling.

�Iran's assistance to Afghanistan in exploration of crude oil and natural gas was top on the agenda of negotiations,� he said following a meeting with visiting Afghan Minister of Mines and Petroleum Daud Shah Saba here on Saturday.

�Both sides reached an understanding on training the Afghan workforce in the gas industry. It was also agreed to provide Iran's technical services to Afghanistan in oil and gas industries,� he added.

Iran exports 3 million liters of gasoil per day to Afghanistan which is planned to rise in a bid to curb smuggling to its eastern neighbor where it is sold at multiple prices.

On exports of oil products mainly gasoil to Afghanistan, Zangeneh also said, �We decided that delegations from both countries will negotiate boosting export of Iran's oil products from the authorized terminals and under government's support.�

�Increased exports will prevent smuggling so that only quality products will be exported to Afghanistan,� the minister said.

By SHANA