Broad Norwegian engagement in Afghanistan

Norway is one of the largest contributors to civilian reconstruction in Afghanistan. The Government has decided to increase the funding for civilian efforts in 2008 to NOK 750 million. “This increase makes Norway one of the donors with the best balance between civilian and military contributions,” says Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

“The Government’s engagement in Afghanistan is based on an integrated strategy. We must strike the right balance between the civilian and the military dimension. The most important task today is to focus on the political challenges and coordinate our efforts, and the Government intends to do its part,” says Mr Støre. 

“The challenges in Afghanistan require political solutions. We must help to build up Afghan institutions at both provincial and local level, and we must also provide the Afghan state with resources and better opportunities to provide basic services to the Afghan people. We must help to strengthen the legitimacy of the Afghan state and create a more unified nation through a policy of reconciliation. 

“Our military efforts will continue, and we will stand by our commitments in this respect. Without security, no development. And without development, no lasting security. The military efforts must continue to support the civilian efforts, but without becoming directly involved in them. This is a question of different roles.,” Mr Støre continues. 

A major part of the Norway’s efforts focuses on the Faryab province, in the north of Afghanistan, where Norway is leading the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Afghan Minister of Education on further cooperation within the educational sector. Norway has committed itself to building 82 schools in Faryab by the end of 2008. Other main priorities for Norway are rural development, efforts to promote the rule of law, and anti-corruption efforts. Norway recently initiated cooperation with the Afghan authorities on developing a framework for the sound management of the oil and gas sector.  

There is growing recognition that the international development efforts must be intensified and better coordinated. Norway has requested that the UN’s coordinating role is strengthened, and we have taken the initiative to establish the position of special envoy with a broad mandate to coordinate the international community’s efforts. Norway has also financed 16 positions in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to chart humanitarian needs and coordinate efforts. 

Press contact: Head of Communication Anne Lene Dale Sandsten, mobile: 908 58 114