Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Afghan counterpart Hamed Karzai have signed a joint statement on issues of mutual concern.

In the statement, inked at the end of Ahmadinejad's day-long visit to Kabul Tuesday, the two presidents called for cooperation by the international community in the campaign against illicit drugs.

They also underscored bilateral political ties, regional and international cooperation, reconstruction of Afghanistan, the fight against narcotics and terrorism.

The two sides also urged, in the statement, the international community to provide more help for reconstruction of Afghanistan.

It highlighted Iran's 'constructive and positive' role as a neighbor of Afghanistan.

The statement stipulated that Iran's foreign policy is based on reinforcing the democratic Afghan government, helping establish stability and security, and promoting development of the country.

Afghanistan welcomed involvement of Iranian enterprises in its development projects, pledging that Kabul would provide the necessary facilities for all such economic activities.

Based on the statement, Iran allocated $50m in aid for reconstruction of the war-ravaged Afghanistan.

The two presidents also stressed the inalienable rights of all countries to access modern industries and technologies including peaceful nuclear energy in line with international regulations and called for a peaceful solution to the ongoing standoff over Iran's nuclear program.

SF/BGH