Within Next Three Years Estonia Will Support Afghanistan with Almost 20 Million Kroons
12.06.2008
Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet participated in the International Conference in Support of Afghanistan in Paris on Thursday, 12 June. The focus of the conference was building up the civil society in Afghanistan.
In talking about the effectiveness of development aid for Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised the importance of the role of Kai Eide, the UN’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan, in co-ordinating the co-operation of international organisations. “Afghanistan has many donors, and in order to achieve more successful results, the Afghan government and the international community must work together,” said Paet. He added that Estonia is prepared to contribute to the reconstruction of Afghanistan for as long as the country needs aid. “Within the next three years, we plan to increase our contribution to Afghanistan to equal 15 to 20 million kroons,” Paet stated.
In his speech, Paet also spent time talking about the most important issues in Afghanistan’s reconstruction—the country’s economic development, reforming the legal sector, and battling corruption.
Paet feels that in order for Afghanistan to develop, attention must be paid to promoting an enterprise-friendly business environment and a transparent tax system. “This would help with both advancing the economy and increasing the employment rate,” Paet said. “It is very important to involve local Afghan businesses in this process and to listen to their suggestions,” he added. The Estonian foreign minister also noted that the entire legal system in Afghanistan must be reformed, as this will help bring investments into the nation.
Paet also spoke in his speech about how corruption in Afghanistan is directly tied to narcotics trade, which is extremely dangerous to the country’s security. “In battling corruption, we must show the population that even the highest state officials will not be granted impunity,” Paet emphasised. He added that a special tribunal could be created to combat against corruption and narcotics trade.
Representatives from 67 nations and 19 organisations participated in the Afghanistan-themed conference in Paris. Other participants in the conference included President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, Secretary-General of the UN Ban Ki-moon, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, UN Special Envoy to Afghanistan Kai Eide, USA Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and USA First Lady Laura Bush.
More informations about Estonia’s aid to Afghanistan:
http://www.vm.ee/?q=en/node/4080
SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE
+372 6377654
+372 53020798
pressitalitus@mfa.ee
In talking about the effectiveness of development aid for Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet emphasised the importance of the role of Kai Eide, the UN’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan, in co-ordinating the co-operation of international organisations. “Afghanistan has many donors, and in order to achieve more successful results, the Afghan government and the international community must work together,” said Paet. He added that Estonia is prepared to contribute to the reconstruction of Afghanistan for as long as the country needs aid. “Within the next three years, we plan to increase our contribution to Afghanistan to equal 15 to 20 million kroons,” Paet stated.
In his speech, Paet also spent time talking about the most important issues in Afghanistan’s reconstruction—the country’s economic development, reforming the legal sector, and battling corruption.
Paet feels that in order for Afghanistan to develop, attention must be paid to promoting an enterprise-friendly business environment and a transparent tax system. “This would help with both advancing the economy and increasing the employment rate,” Paet said. “It is very important to involve local Afghan businesses in this process and to listen to their suggestions,” he added. The Estonian foreign minister also noted that the entire legal system in Afghanistan must be reformed, as this will help bring investments into the nation.
Paet also spoke in his speech about how corruption in Afghanistan is directly tied to narcotics trade, which is extremely dangerous to the country’s security. “In battling corruption, we must show the population that even the highest state officials will not be granted impunity,” Paet emphasised. He added that a special tribunal could be created to combat against corruption and narcotics trade.
Representatives from 67 nations and 19 organisations participated in the Afghanistan-themed conference in Paris. Other participants in the conference included President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, Secretary-General of the UN Ban Ki-moon, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, UN Special Envoy to Afghanistan Kai Eide, USA Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and USA First Lady Laura Bush.
More informations about Estonia’s aid to Afghanistan:
http://www.vm.ee/?q=en/node/4080
SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE
+372 6377654
+372 53020798
pressitalitus@mfa.ee
© Estonian Foreign Ministry
- Islandi väljak 1
- 15049 Tallinn
- TEL (+372) 6 377 000
- General Info: vminfo@vm.ee
- Documents: post@vm.ee
- For consular and visa-related information:: konsul@vm.ee
