Representatives from 80 states gathered in The Hague to discuss reconstruction in Afghanistan. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presented the new US strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier welcomed the Americans' new emphasis on a regional approach to solving the conflict and their intention of providing more assistance on the civilian side. Steinmeier sought support for a project to improve civil air traffic control in Afghanistan.

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Foreign Minister Steinmeier

(© picture-alliance/ dpa)

President Obama announced a new US approach to reconstruction in Afghanistan on 27 March. Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier proclaimed this new strategy to be "absolutely right" prior to the conference in The Hague. In his opinion, it now puts the emphasis in the right places and could pave the way for a major new international effort. The conference provided the first opportunity to talk to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about the details.

Advancing civilian reconstruction

"We will have to enhance our civilian engagement," Steinmeier said. The year 2009 will be a crucial year for Afghanistan. Germany will do all it can, Steinmeier continued, to ensure that the presidential elections in August are free and fair. Six hundred additional German soldiers will help provide security before and during the elections. Germany will furthermore make available additional funds for the organization of the elections.

The Minister believes that a careful balance must be found between civilian reconstruction and military security. The US has announced that it wants to give greater priority to civilian reconstruction. Steinmeier responded to this as follows: "This will provide an opportunity for cooperation." Before the conference he also said, "We should start in The Hague with a critical review of progress to date."More civilian assistance in Afghanistan – Steinmeier calls for civil air traffic control

Steinmeier canvassed support for a new initiative: Germany wants to help Afghanistan by establishing civil airspace surveillance structures. He was on the lookout for partners for this project in The Hague. Air traffic control has so far been a purely military matter. "We want to tackle this issue by training air traffic controllers and investing in communication and navigation technology."

As a first step, the German Government will, in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, upgrade Mazar-e-Sharif airport in northern Afghanistan to make it a hub for civilian air traffic. The project will cost around 35 million euros.

Strengthening the security forces

Steinmeier announced a significant increase in Germany's commitment for the training of Afghan security forces: the Federal Government will contribute 50 million euro to the ANA Trust Fund for training and equipping Afghan forces.

As he explained, the aim is to hand responsibility for rebuilding the country back to the Afghans, piece by piece. For this reason it is vital that the Afghan police and army are put in a position to perform their duties. To this end, Steinmeier continued, we need to step up the efforts in the field of training. "We all want to do more to equip and train the Afghan National Army," he said.

Seeking a regional solution

Germany supports efforts to find a regional solution to the conflict, "because we know that Afghanistan cannot be stabilized without also considering the situation in neighbouring Pakistan."