Statement by Mr. Jan Petersen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway
New York, 24 September 2003

Ad-Hoc High level Meeting on Afghanistan

Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,

Much has been achieved in Afghanistan, but difficult challenges still remain. We have a common responsibility to ensure that Afghanistan is not left in the shadow of other conflicts. Long term commitment from the international community, in terms of security and development assistance, is of utmost importance for peace and stability.

We fully support the UN integrated approach in Afghanistan. It is of vital importance that the constitutional Loya Jirga in December and the elections add legitimacy to the political process and unify the various fractions of the Afghan society. Norway will be supporting the UN appeal for voters registration.

We commend the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary General Lakhdar Brahimi. We are pleased to note the excellent relations between the Afghan Transitional Authorities and the Special Representative.

Building security and stability is the most essential condition for positive development in Afghanistan. We are deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation. If security is not extended to the provinces, we are worried about the future prospects for the Bonn process.

The war on terrorism has not yet been won in Afghanistan. Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) is still needed. The assassination of aid workers is undermining the possibility of providing humanitarian assistance throughout the country.

A successful implementation of an Afghan-led security sector reform is of vital importance to ensure political and economic development. Afghan ownership is essential. Nevertheless, the international community must provide support for technical and administrative capacity building as well as support to the political, economic and security sector reform processes.

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), to which Norway contributes a CIMIC-team and a Medical team, is of crucial importance to the maintenance of peace and stability in Kabul and the surrounding area. The possibility of expanding ISAF’s mandate outside Kabul is discussed. We look favourably upon such an expansion.

The establishment of the "Provincial Reconstruction Teams" will contribute to amore secure environment in the country. The PRTs can play an important role by supporting dialogue between the TA and regional leaders and by offering advice on security sector reform. The PRTs can also facilitate the efforts of the UN, the NGOs and IOs, and thereby support the extension of the Transitional Authority. Continued and maybe even strengthened international security assistance will be needed to build sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

The expanding drug economy is a serious threat to peace and stability. If the producers and traffickers are allowed to thrive, the consequences will be devastating. This fight requires a multidimensional approach. The UK’s efforts as the lead nation of donors involved in counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan are highly commendable.

To guarantee the rights of women as well as religious and ethnic minorities, it is also important that the principle of pluralism is reflected in the Constitution. Women are still the main victims of the insecure situation. Women must be allowed to participate in all aspects and at all levels of the reconstruction and peace-building processes. Norway is ready to work as a partner with Afghanistan in the implementation of the convention.

Norway pledged approximately USD 50 million in assistance to Afghanistan in 2003. More than 90 per cent has at this point been disbursed. Afghanistan is one of the major recipients of Norwegian development assistance and will from 2004 be formally included in the group of our partner countries. This demonstrates Norway’s long-term commitment to development co-operation with Afghanistan.