Address at “Heart of Asia” - Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan

Excellencies,
Dear friends,

Allow me first of all to thank the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Turkey for co-hosting this important meeting in the very heart of Asia.

Norway applauds the progress that has been made since last year’s Istanbul meeting. Regional commitment and cooperation are key in securing future stability and development in Afghanistan. Many of us have stressed this for years – but there has been more talk than action and commitment. This is now changing. The declaration adopted today shows that the statements from Istanbul are being translated into reality.  

This meeting is the second of a series of three very important international meetings on Afghanistan this spring and summer. It serves as a bridge between Chicago and Tokyo, but it also underscores the critical value of regional cooperation in itself in the overall effort to bring security and stability to Afghanistan and to the region.

Step by step processes of practical cooperation across borders – building confidence based on mutual accountability and commitments - enhancing regional stability and facilitating increased people-to-people contact.  

Norway has supported the Istanbul process from the very beginning. We are also supporting concrete boarder area projects and Norway is committed to long-term cooperation with Afghanistan.  Our priority areas continue to be education, governance and rural development, while gender equality is a cross-cutting issue in our development cooperation. These are priorities which go well with the seven initial confidence-building measures identified through the Istanbul process.

As to the CBMs, Norway will support the Disaster Management CBM and we are also ready to consider participating in the CBMs on regional infrastructure and education. In this context we look forward to fruitful cooperation with the lead nations and participating countries and would welcome concrete proposals and suggestions for activities and projects. 

Thank you