A delegation from Afghanistan's Taliban regime met recently with officials from Iran's oil ministry for talks on petroleum cooperation, the daily Tehran Times reported Tuesday.
An Iranian official, who asked not to be identified, was quoted as saying that the talks, in the Iranian border province of Khorassan, were "fruitful" and would continue with further meetings.
The newspaper quoted experts as saying that Iran, which has the world's second-largest reserves of natural gas after Russia, could "easily meet the energy needs of its neighbors."
Iran does not formally recognize the Taliban regime, which has been in power since 1996 when it ousted President Burhanuddin Rabbani.
The Taliban control all of Afghanistan except for the far northeast, which is controlled by forces loyal to the ousted government.--AFP.
(c)--Agence France Presse.
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
