Sunday, May 06, 2012
Kabul (BNA) Dr. Zalmai Rassoul Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan met with Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium yesterday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where Mr. Pieter De Crem, Belgium’s Minister of Defense was also present.
“Belgium has contributed to Afghanistan, not only by means of deploying troops to Afghanistan, but also in the economic and cultural areas which we are deeply grateful for,” said Dr. Rassoul.
He added that “Belgium is ready to engage in the transition process as decided for the end of 2014 and to continue cooperating with Afghanistan after 2014.”
“We have committed ourselves to stay present in Afghanistan, in development aid, the financing of the Afghan troops and the Afghan army and maybe to provide if it is possible some training to the troops”, said Mr. Reynders.
“We are pleased to see the capacity to sign some new partnership agreements with Afghanistan like it was signed with U.S.
We will try to do the same like other European countries, with the European Union as a whole.” It is to be noted that the delegation of Belgian high ranking officials, including Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs, during their visit to Afghanistan met with President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and visited their troops based in Kunduz province.
