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Foreign Minister Steinmeier on the inauguration of Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah in Afghanistan
Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued the following statement in Berlin today (29 September) on the inauguration of Ashraf Ghani as the new president of Afghanistan and of Abdullah Abdullah as chief executive officer:
I congratulate the new Afghan president Ashraf Ghani. We wish him luck and success. I would also like to congratulate the new chief executive officer Abdullah Abdullah.
Afghanistan is making history today. The country, which has suffered decades of civil wars, has undergone its first peaceful and democratic change of government. Above all, this is a great success for the people who bravely and resolutely defied threats from the Taliban and turned out to vote.
The new government faces significant challenges. Its most pressing task is to create without delay all of the conditions needed for the international community to continue its support. Germany and the international community want to do everything they can to support Afghanistan.
Background information:
The new president of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, is being inaugurated in Kabul today. The runner‑up in the presidential elections, Abdullah Abdullah, has been appointed the new chief executive officer. Ghani and Abdullah have agreed to form a government of national unity.
