Germany - Reconstruction and security – Germany's commitment in Afghanistan

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Schoolgirls from the Amani School in Kabul © Thomas Imo/ photothek.net

Reconstruction and security – Germany's commitment in Afghanistan

Afghanistan must not revert to its former role as a refuge for international terrorists. This is why Germany and the international community are helping Afghanistan to become a stable country whose people can live in safety and determine their own future. Our commitment there serves German, international and Afghan interests in equal measure.

An Afghan police officer managing traffic in Kabul

International support for rebuilding the Afghan police force

Afghanistan needs to be able to take responsibility for its own internal security. Hence the creation of an effective Afghan police force is a top priority for the German Government, the EU and the international community in Afghanistan. An effective and reliable police force is essential to ensure a secure environment for the country's reconstruction effort. The main focus of German and international assistance in support of this process is training, advice and equipment. In all three areas a great deal has been invested and considerable progress made. Since June 2007 the EU Police Mission for Afghanistan – EUPOL Afghanistan – has also been supporting the police reform process.

Germany’s military engagement in Afghanistan

The Federal Armed Forces will continue for another year to participate in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. This was decided by the German Bundestag on 3 December 2009.

Germany's commitment to northern Afghanistan (Kunduz, Feyzabad and Mazar-e-Sharif)

Germany has established two Provincial Reconstruction Teams in the northern part of the country in accordance with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mandate. The PRTs, as they are known, in Kunduz and Feyzabad each have a civilian and a military component. Germany heads the Regional Command North in Mazar-e-Sharif.

Reconstruction of the Buddha statues of Bamiyan, Afghanistan

Cultural reconstruction in Afghanistan

The German Government’s wide-ranging engagement in Afghanistan includes the sphere of education and cultural policy. Our cooperation with Afghanistan in this field focuses on the development of an active and democratic Afghan civil society.

Further sources of information

Latest news

Radio Goethe on Afghanistan

Audio File

Radio Goethe Magazine producer and host Arndt Peltner reports on his recent trip to Afghanistan in this half-hour broadcast. Radio Goethe is broadcast on several radio stations in the US and is also available online.

Radio Goethe

(Radio Goethe)