Iran-Afghan 'silk road' opened

DOGHARUN, Iran, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- A new "silk route" has been opened by the Afghan and Iranian presidents, linking their two countries in efforts to further reconstruction and boost trade.

The new 75-mile highway connecting the eastern Iranian city of Dogharun with the western Afghan city of Herat has cost the Iranian government an estimated $60 million, and will carry 60 percent of Afghanistan's imports and exports, the BBC reported.

On his first official trip since being elected last year, Afghan President Hamid Karzai visited Iran to inaugurate the road and a power line. "This is a very important step on the way to Afghanistan's reconstruction," he said at the inaugural ceremony Thursday.

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said, "Our stability and Afghanistan's stability are linked. Our progress and development are linked to Afghanistan's development."

There are hopes that the road will eventually extend to all of Asia. The road, which is more modern than others in the region, is said to have police stations, rest stops and 24 car parks to accommodate the heavy traffic that is expected.