Sunday June 7, 2015
Kabul (BNA) President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani received for a meeting the Australian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Mr. Mathew Anderson and Australian Development Counselor and Head of Aid, Mr. Scott Kelleher in Kabul. In the meeting that took place in Arg yesterday, the two sides discussed ways to further enhance bilateral relations and assistance for Afghanistan. Reiterating Australia’s Commitment to Afghanistan, Mr. Scott Kelleher said that Afghanistan will be the fourth largest program to receive Australian aid amounting to one hundred million US dollars per year for the next three years. Mr. Scott Kelleher added that most of his country’s aid will focus on improving farming, public financial management programs, support for women and children as well as construction roads. In return, President Ghani thanked Australia for supporting Afghanistan in different areas and stated that the government focuses on infrastructure and reorganization of Ministries to avoid duplication. The President reaffirmed Afghanistan’s commitment made in London Conference and asked for Australian expertise in urban development to advice on planning of Kabul City. Underscoring the importance of support for women, the President said that shelters for women need to be improved and supported further so that women who need a place to stay are not put in the same place with criminals. The President added that construction of women’s university will begin soon.
