Ambassador Samad said, “President Hamid Karzai’s government is keen to see sustained Canadian engagement as part of the 3-D approach for several years to come, and expresses its deep appreciation for the commitments made thus far in all three domains, and in particular, for the important role played by CIDA in the delivery of the aid.”

Minister Carroll highlighted the importance of Afghanistan as the largest recipient of Canadian foreign aid, and pledged to keep the commitments made by Canada – totaling to more than $615 million until 2009 - at the Tokyo and Berlin donor Conferences in 2002 and 2004 respectively. She also reiterated Canada’s pledge to continue to support parts of the Afghan Government’s operational budget through the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund.

The two sides also expressed their concern about the threat of narcotics originating from Afghanistan. The Afghan envoy expressed his government’s readiness to deal with the various facets of the narcotics problem, but added that the problem could not be resolved without international assistance and cooperation.

Amb. Samad reiterated that the new leadership team and key ministries in Kabul are committed to continuing the reforms started after the Bonn Accords of 2001. “We are reviewing and upgrading the reconstruction and development strategies to better suit the fast-changing environment, needs and priorities of the country,’ said the Ambassador.

Some of the new issues and priorities, highlighted by infrastructure-building programs, will be discussed with the donor community during the annual Afghanistan Development Forum to be held in Kabul in March, 2005.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Afghan Ambassador extended an invitation to Minister Carroll to visit Afghanistan during that time period, and also attend the ADF meeting. Both sides also agreed that exchanges and visits by the ministers in charge of the 3-D (diplomacy, defence and development) sectors will be valuable.

“Maximizing the impact of Canadian aid in areas such as water management and irrigation, alternative energies, agriculture and reforestation, and also by promoting private sector investments, are examples that can leave a lasting Canadian imprint in Afghanistan, affecting the lives of millions,” said Ambassador Samad.

Note: Please direct all media inquiries to media and public relations desk at the Afghan Embassy, by calling Mr. Tamim Amini at 613.563.4223 or sending an email to: contact@afghanemb-canada.net