Ottawa – The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, H.E. Pierre Pettigrew, in a meeting with the Ambassador of Afghanistan in Ottawa on Friday, reiterated Canada’s strong support in the security, development and diplomatic fields in Afghanistan.

Foreign Minister Pettigrew said that Canada attaches the “highest importance” to Afghanistan, and that his country will be engaged in the rebuilding of Afghanistan over “the long haul.”

Ambassador Omar Samad thanked the Canadian people and Government for their “meaningful engagement” as evidenced by the deployment of the Canadian military contingent - part of the International Security Assistance force (ISAF) stationed in Kabul - the generous pledge and delivery of assistance for reconstruction, institutional support and then non-governmental sector, as well as Canada’s diplomatic endeavors to help accelerate the process of democratization and stabilization in the country.

Minister Pettigrew congratulated the Afghan people and the Transitional Government for the holding of successful and historic presidential elections earlier this month, and expressed the Canadian wish to continue working closely with the democratically elected President and new government in the future.

The two sides exchanged views on the lingering threats of terrorism, warlord-ism and narcotics as destabilizing elements that need to be tackled collectively and with determination.

The Afghan Ambassador also stressed the importance of attracting Canadian and Afghan-Canadian business and investment in various nascent Afghan sectors, and to promote trade between the two countries.

Ambassador Samad began his post in Ottawa in late September.