Ottawa – The Ambassador of Afghanistan to Canada joined H.E. Foreign Minister Peter MacKay at a press conference on Parliament Hill Wednesday marking the anniversary of the Afghanistan Compact signed between the Afghan Government and the international community in London on January 31, 2006.

Ambassador Samad thanked Canada and other donors for their continued comprehensive engagement and contributions towards security, stability and development in Afghanistan, as stipulated in the Compact.

Minister MacKay said Canada's presence in Afghanistan is helping reconstruction efforts in the country, as outlined in the international agreement. He added that a balancing of the mission is contained in the Compact that sets out benchmarks in various areas of security, governance and development for five years.

The Afghan envoy stressed the need to fulfill the goals and timelines set out in the compact during the remaining four years through aggressive and accelerated means and commitments.

The Ambassador also thanked H.E. Prime Minister Stephen Harper for issuing a statement of support Wednesday in which he called the Compact ”a milestone agreement,” and outlined Canada’s contributions through programs to support schools, healthcare, infrastructure, small loans and other developmental initiatives.

Ambassador Samad said that overall the international community agrees with the Afghan government that development cannot effectively occur in the absence of stability and security. He added that “security in Afghanistan also has a regional component which needs to be seriously addressed if we are going to succeed in our efforts and protect civilians and NATO forces, including Canadians, from terrorist infiltrations and disruptions.”

The Afghan Ambassador also attended a Senate session on Wednesday during which The Honorable Speaker, Sen. Noel Kinsella, called for an official recognition of the Afghan Ambassador. In return, Amb. Samad expressed his gratitude of the Senate’s recognition period.

Embassy of the I.R. of Afghanistan

January 31, 2007