Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Jonas Gahr Støre

London Conference on Afghanistan 31 January - 1 February 2006

Due to the fact that Mr Støre had to departfrom London before making his speech, a printed version of the speech was distributed during the conference.

Mr Chairman, President Karzai,
Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,

This conference is an important opportunity for us to renew our joint commitment to the Afghan people, and I would like to thank the Afghan Government and the British Government for hosting it.

The Afghanistan Compact provides us with important guidelines for our joint efforts and a common platform for cooperation. A comprehensive, nationally owned and well coordinated approach is vital to achieve lasting peace and development in Afghanistan.

Norway welcomes the progress being made. It is encouraging to see the ethnic, ideological and professional diversity of the newly elected representatives. In particular, it is encouraging to see the strong representation of women. There is a need to further develop the roles and responsibilities of the governing bodies, and to secure necessary checks and balances between them.

I have five remarks as regards the main priorities and tasks ahead;

First, sustainable peace and stability can only be built if the people of Afghanistan are able to come to terms with past abuses. I would like to highlight the importance of the adoption of a National Plan for Peace, Justice and Reconciliation in this regard.

Second, I would like to commend the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission on its work. The Commission must be able to work independently and efficiently. Further efforts are needed to ensure that the human rights principles of non-discrimination, respect for the rights of women and freedom of expression are honoured.

Third, it is important to keep up the momentum in security-sector and administrative reform, including rule of law and zero-tolerance of corruption. Legal safeguards and access to justice are vital.

Fourth, I would like to underline the importance of women having access to the legal system. It is essential to ensure that the new Supreme Court employs independent and well qualified men and women with high personal integrity and legitimacy.

Then, Mr Chairman, there is the security situation, my fifth – and perhaps most important point:

Although the disarmament and demobilisation process has been successfully completed, Norway remains concerned about the deteriorating security situation. The increase in violent attacks – including suicide bombings – is very worrying. The illegal drugs trade is also a major concern. Any failure to tackle this problem will undermine the efforts to bring about sustainable peace and development. Norway welcomes the initiatives taken by the Afghan government and the UK in its role as lead donor, and I assure you that we will give our full support to these joint efforts.

Afghanistan will remain the highest priority for Norway’s military engagement abroad. The continued expansion of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is of paramount importance for securing stability throughout the country. The Provincial Reconstruction Teams (the PRTs) play an important part in this regard. As ISAF expands, it will be crucial to ensure a positive relationship between the PRTs and civilian actors. And civil-military cooperation must be based on a clear division of labour.

Norway firmly supports the key role of the UN in Afghanistan. I would particularly like to highlight the importance of the part played by UNAMA and commend the Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mr Jean Arnault, for his efforts for the Afghan people. I can assure you that we will give full support to the new Special Representative, Mr Tom Koenigs.

Mr Chairman,

We believe the Afghanistan Compact and the interim National Development Strategy are well designed to deal with the challenges Afghanistan is facing. Norway fully understands the Afghan Government’s need for long-term and predictable commitments. In Berlin, Norway pledged over one billion kroner (USD 160 million) for the five-year period from 2004 to 2008.

Today, I am happy to pledge funds for the subsequent two years, thus maintaining our present contribution of at least 200 million kroner (USD 30 million) a year up to 2010. This pledge is in addition to the humanitarian assistance we provide, which amounted to more than NOK 90 million (USD 13.5 million) in 2005.

In closing, I would like to reiterate Norway’s deep commitment to supporting joint efforts to bring about lasting peace and sustainable development for the people of Afghanistan. If we are to succeed we must be fully aware of the links between security, political, economic and social development – and that Afghan ownership of reconstruction and development activities is crucial.

Thank you.