Tehran, July 13, IRNA � Head of the Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Council Ali-Akbar Velayati on Wednesday highlighted Iranian cultural affinities with Afghanistan.

He made the remarks in a meeting with a group of Afghan political activists, university professors, the Afghan elite and scholars.

Velayati said that Iranian research center will be set up in Kabul the next months.

'Problems of the two countries are often common. Afghanistan is a very important country, playing a key role in formation of the Islamic civilization and culture. Regarding the valuable role of Afghanistan and the highly important geographic status, the UK, former Soviet Union and now the US have had covetous eye on it.'

Velayati said the campaigns of the Afghan people led to their victory over enemies and repelled the former Soviet troops.

He referred to Iran-India-Afghanistan transit and said the contract to that effect has been signed authorizing Afghanistan to use Iran's transport facilities.

'Afghanistan can use the way to access free waters and to facilitate its exports and imports.'

He noted that there are now 300,000 Afghan students studying in Iranian schools and 16,000 Afghan students in Iranian universities.

Two Afghan presidential advisors were also present in the meeting.

By IRNA