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German Government Steadfastly Holding Course
in Afghanistan

Berlin: Chancellor Merkel and UN Special Envoy Koenigs
Bergmann © BPA

The German government is sticking to its Afghanistan strategy in spite of the hostage taking. Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the training of the Afghan police force and the strengthening of civilian structures with the UN Special Envoy in Afghanistan Tom Koenigs.

"We must dovetail military security and the security inside the country, i.e. strengthening the police force, as closely as possible," the Chancellor said after her meeting with Koenigs in Berlin on July 24. Our efforts must not flag at this point, she continued.

The German government would continue to "take all responsible steps" to save the second German hostage, Merkel declared.

Guaranteeing security and the rule of law

In Afghanistan, Germany has entered into a "long-term, important and indispensable commitment," Chancellor Merkel said. The mission consists of a combination of civilian and military assistance. "We will not be brought from our course," she stressed.

Koenigs praised the German contribution in Afghanistan und emphasized the importance of building the capacities of the administration inside Afghanistan. Support must be given to the Afghan government in particular to ensure that the rule of law becomes firmly established, he said. If necessary "robust action" will have to be taken, if appropriate, with the support of the military, the UN Special Envoy continued.

Continuing support

He called for more support for Afghan reconstruction. For the United Nations, he said, it is vital at this difficult time that partner countries, especially Germany, "steadfastly hold their course".

Koenigs expressed his lack of understanding for debates as to which ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) country should be stationed in which part of Afghanistan. "The German commitment in the north of the country should remain unchanged," Koenigs said. In the coming year it will be every bit as important as it was last year.

Assistance for the entire region

Alongside support for Afghanistan, the stabilization of the region as a whole was a topic on the agenda. Developments in Pakistan, for instance, have a direct influence on stability in the Hindu Kush, Merkel said.

The discussion session, which took place after the cabinet meeting, was also attended by representatives of the ministries involved in Afghanistan. The UN Special Envoy was thus also able to speak with Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul and the head of the Federal Chancellery, Thomas de Maizière.

The UN Special Envoy and UNAMA

Koenigs has been UN Special Envoy in Afghanistan and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) since February 2006. UNAMA is helping the Afghan government put in place and consolidate rule-of-law structures, as well as promoting national reconciliation.

Currently, 19 UN agencies are working in Afghanistan. Along with Afghan government agencies and a number of non-governmental organizations, they are supporting the development of the country. The Federal Armed Forces are providing support to the mission in the form of a military observer in Kabul.

Germany's contribution to rebuilding Afghanistan

German helpers have been involved in more than 700 reconstruction projects over the last five years. They have restored more than 300 schools and nurseries, 13 police stations and 370 hospitals, as well as water-supply facilities, bridges and roads. In the urban areas of Kabul, Herat and Kunduz, they restored water and electricity supplies for a total of 2.5 million people.

Since 2001 a total of 3,500 schools have been built in Afghanistan. The enrolment has more than quintupled. Today, 6.5 million children are enrolled at school, one third of them girls.

Since 2002 Germany has assumed the international lead role in rebuilding a professional Afghan police force. More than 3,000 German troops are deployed as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

July 26, 2007

source: REGIERUNGonline

Links

Foreign Minister Steinmeier in Afghanistan and Pakistan (May 2007)

Commitment to Afghanistan Mission Reiterated After Death of Soldiers
(May 2007)

German Bilateral Relations with Afghanistan

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