The International Afghanistan Support Conference

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Mr President,

Afghanistan today must be measured not only on present day performance, but against the depth from which the country has risen. Historically, Afghanistan has been difficult to govern and impossible to conquer. The character and pride of its people took shape in a rugged landscape.

Together with the Afghan people and Government, we are engaged in a new struggle. A struggle to help Afghanistan to break out of decades of war, Taliban oppression and poverty. A struggle to honour and build on the mutual promises made in Bonn six years ago and those made in London two years ago.

Norway has for quite some time advocated a step change in the civilian and political assistance to Afghanistan. Norway itself is stepping up significantly. We are increasing our assistance by nearly 40 per cent compared with last year, to a level of about EUR 100 million this year. And we intend to keep it at that level during the five-year time frame of the present Afghanistan National Development Strategy.

Mr President,

We intend to maintain a significant military presence as well. Today we have 670 personnel in the country, including special forces in the Kabul region and our PRT in Faryab province.

Our goal is that the people of Afghanistan should be able to meet the future with more hope and greater expectations. And that coming generations will thrive in their country, unleashing the full potential of all its people.

That is the future I hope we are approaching, step by step. And today’s conference tells me that we have a new deal with the Government and people of Afghanistan.

Norway fully agrees with the Afghan Government that more of the external funds should be channelled through the Afghan authorities, in order to increase national control. Norway is a strong supporter of the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF), and over the years about half of all Norwegian assistance has been channelled through the fund.

Afghan ownership means less earmarking geographically to our respective PRT provinces and to specific programs through ARTF. Norway will promote Afghan ownership. I am confident that President Karzai and his government know well what we expect.

We are heartened that the UN now has a more robust mandate, and that the leaders of the world seem to have trust in (UN Special Representative for Afghanistan) Mr Eide and his ability to coordinate the efforts of the international community.

It is for us, the donor countries and organisations, to let ourselves be coordinated.

Let us pledge to stand behind Mr Eide and facilitate his demanding task. Let us work through the UN in New York to ensure that UNAMA has the people and the power it needs. Without further delay.

The Government of Afghanistan has promised reform. Increasingly, it is taking ownership of its own development.

It is building the Afghan state, enhancing capacity at national and provincial level, setting priorities. Some will be presented here today. Some are proposed in the Nordic position paper distributed last week.

We expect the Afghan Government to rid the system of corruption as financial support increases.

Because together, we must avoid donor fatigue. We must stay on course.

It is therefore important to ensure the rule of law, and that all citizens enjoy due process. And that the role of women in society is enhanced, for which there are a number of good arguments, including macro-economic reasons. Women’s participation means stronger economic growth. This is also outlined in the letter from the Afghan women parliamentarians.

It is essential to ensure that the elections to be held in 2009 and 2010 are free and fair, and that democracy is consolidated for all Afghans.

There is good news that more regions have been cleared of poppy. Poppy-growing is a cancer in Afghan society, and the derived products are killing young people in all of our countries. Also in Afghanistan. We will fight drug barons, and so must you.

Mr President,

Nothing would delight us more than to see Afghanistan take full charge of its own destiny, and to see it become self-reliant.

My country has made a commitment to the people of Afghanistan. To the little boys and girls who go to school.

We are committed to working with other donors, the World Bank, the other Nordic countries and the Government of Afghanistan, to ensure that more of our aid is channelled through Afghan authorities.

That is why the commitments made by President Karzai and the Government of Afghanistan made here today are so important to us.