Foreign Minister reiterates Latvia's support for the stabilization of Afghanistan

 

On 31 March, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins participated in the international conference Afghanistan: An Overall Strategy in a Regional Context which took place at The Hague. The international conference was jointly chaired by the UN special representative for Afghanistan, Kai Eide, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan Rangin Dadfar Spanta, and Maxime Verhagen, Foreign Minister of the Netherlands. The goal of the conference was to provide political support for the stabilisation of the security situation in Afghanistan and the surrounding region, as well as for the international community to agree on its further integrated and overall strategy for the rebuilding of Afghanistan. 

Within the framework of the conference, the expected outcome of the forthcoming 20 August elections in Afghanistan was viewed in the context of the nation's further development, and also the possible involvement of the international community in supporting the preparations and the process of the elections.  Conference participants noted with satisfaction that the U.S. administration has drafted a new strategy for both Afghanistan and Pakistan, emphasising that 2009 should mark an irreversible turning-point in the limitation of terrorist activities, in the promotion of long term stability and the facilitation of reconstruction in Afghanistan and the region as a whole.

Foreign Minister Riekstins' presentation to the conference confirmed Latvia's support for the stabilisation and development of Afghanistan. "Latvia's investment in the military operation, in proportion to its population, is one of the greatest among not only NATO forces, but also the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF)," noted Minister Riekstins. The Minister confirmed that the international military operation in Afghanistan will be a priority in Latvia's security policy also in the future. Minister Riekstins invited conference participants to maintain a close and co-ordinated policy on Afghanistan in co-operation with NATO, the EU, OSCE and in support of UN missions, and to support the Special Representative to Afghanistan in the efforts to stabilise the security situation.

At the same time Minister Riekstins accentuated the importance of regional co-operation, drawing special attention to the situation in Pakistan, as well as co-operation with other central Asian states, noting of course the traditionally close relationships of these states with Afghanistan.

At the close of the conference, participants identified as a priority area the increase of government capacity in Afghanistan, in observance of the principles of good governance and in improvements to the security situation, the government's ability to undertake security controls and to facilitate economic development and regional co-operation. Particular attention was devoted to the reduction of corruption in government and in facilitating the process of political reconciliation. Conference participants promised to increase the resources intended for the reconstruction of Afghanistan, to participate in the training of Afghanistan's security forces and to strengthen the participation of civil experts in the reconstruction process.

The conference was attended by representatives of 72 countries of the world from six continents, ten international organisations, as well as representatives from six international organisations with the status of observer.

The issue of Afghanistan will be one of the major themes for discussion at the forthcoming NATO meeting of Heads of State and Heads of Government at Strasbourg / Kehl from 3 – 4 April.

An English language press statement on the conference is available at

http://afghanistanconference2009.minbuza.nl/res/00266/img_user/PDF/Final%20Declaration.pdf

Detailed information on the conference itself is available on the official website

http://afghanistanconference2009.minbuza.nl/

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