Arg, Kabul – H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, met with H.E. Karel De Gucht, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium at the Gulkhana palace this evening.

During the meeting, the President and Foreign Minister Gucht discussed bilateral relations, the fight against narcotics, the situation of Afghan refugees in Belgium and the prospect of Afghanistan becoming a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Foreign Minister Gucht expressed his willingness to help Afghanistan become a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Foreign Minister Gucht suggested to the President to send a delegation to Belgium to assess the situation of Afghan refugees in Belgium.

Foreign Minister Gucht who holds the rotating presidency of the OSCE proposed a plan to assist Afghanistan with border control to stop drug smuggling. The Government of Belgium offered to assist Afghanistan with advanced packaging technology so that Afghanistan agricultural products will meet both local and international standards.

On drugs, the President said, “Providing the Afghan farmers with alternative crops is the key to fighting narcotics.”

The President welcomed the prospect of Afghanistan becoming a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and thanked Foreign Minister Gucht for his offer of assistance in this regard.

The President, on behalf of the people of Afghanistan, thanked the people and Government of Belgium for their generous assistance to the reconstruction of Afghanistan in past four years.

Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the President - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan