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Minister of State Annen in Afghanistan
The Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, Niels Annen, visited Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif from 15 to 17 January.
In Kabul he had talks with President Dr Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Acting Foreign Minister Idrees Zaman, National Security Adviser Dr Hamdullah Mohib, State Minister for Peace Affairs Abdul Rahimi, Acting Defence Minister Asadullah Khalid, Acting Interior Minister Massoud Andarabi and Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan. He also met women representatives of Afghan civil society. The main subjects of discussion were the endeavours towards a peace process, the domestic situation, human rights and women’s rights and the reform process in Afghanistan.
In Mazar-e-Sharif Minister of State Annen spoke to the Governor of Balkh Province, Mohammad Rahguzar, Chair of the Provincial Council Dr Hadid and Head of the Department of Women’s Affairs in the province Ms Hadid. He also continued his dialogue with civil society, for example meeting the leader of the Blue Mosque. At Camp Marmal he met German soldiers as well as staff of German implementing organisations and of the German Police Project Team.
Commenting on his trip, Minister of State Annen said:
Visiting Afghanistan again, I was able to see for myself the challenges currently facing the country, but also to see that there has been visible progress. The endeavours being made towards a peace process give rise to hope for a durable resolution of the conflict in Afghanistan. As a reliable friend and partner, Germany will continue to help Afghanistan to tackle these challenges.