Latest News (228)
New Zealand’s Non-Resident Ambassador Pays Courtesy Call on Minister of Foreign Affairs
KABUL – The newly appointed non-resident Ambassador of New Zealand to Kabul, Mr. Hamish Mac Master called upon Afghan Foreign Minister H.E. Salahuddin Rabbani today.
The Afghan Foreign Minister welcomed Mr. Hamish Mac Master to Kabul and emphasized the strengthening of relations between the two countries.
Steering Committee for Reporting Implementation of International Treaties Holds Second Meeting
KABUL – The second meeting of the Steering Committee on the process of reporting on the implementation of international conventions was held with a focus on Universal Periodic Review of Afghanistan, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with participation of various steering committee members.
At the outset, Deputy Minister of Justice, Mr. Sayed Mohammad Hashimi talked on the details and dynamics of the reporting process. Following him, other members of the Steering Committee commented on the contents of the report.
The Universal Periodic Review is the Human Rights reporting mechanism established to enhance and develop human rights conditions in the UN member states. Through the UPR, human rights conditions of 42 member states of the United Nations are reviewed every five years.
So far, Afghanistan has presented its report for two periods in 2009 and 2014, based on which it has received 177 recommendations. These recommendations are pertaining issues such as: general, protection and expansion of human rights, human rights institutions, international human rights conventions such as the ICCPR, ICESCR and rights of special persons and groups.
The third UPR of Afghanistan is set to be presented on October 22, 2018. The report contains information on the implementation of recommendations and shall be finalized upon the endorsement of the Steering Committee, and then reviewed by the Office of the Second Deputy President of Afghanistan.
Foreign Minister Rabbani Meets Former Prime Minister of Kuwait and Director General of Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development
KUWAIT – Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan H.E. Salahuddin Rabbani met with the Former Prime Minister of Kuwait, His Highness Shaykh Naseer Mohammed Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Director-General of Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, Mr. Abdulwahab Al-Bader; and discussed economic development, peace process and bilateral issues.
Mr. Rabbani also visited Albabtain Central Library for Arabic Poetry, and participated in a feast organized in his honor by the former Prime Minister of Kuwait.
Canadian Ambassador Designate Pays Courtesy Call on Acting and Deputy Foreign Minister
KABUL – The newly appointed Ambassador of Canada to Kabul Mr. david john metcalfe called upon Acting and Deputy Foreign Minister, Dr. Nasir Ahmad Andisha today.
At the outset, Dr. Andisha Welcomed the Ambassador designate, spoke on bilateral political and economic ties and emphasized strengthening of relations between the two countries in different areas.
Ambassador Mitcalfe thanked for the opportunity to meet Deputy Foreign Minister and expressed that Canada is committed to continued cooperation with the people and government of Afghanistan. He also promised further strengthening and expansion of these relations during his tenure in Kabul.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
KUWAIT – Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Salahuddin Rabbani met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait H.E. Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Ahmad Al Sabah.
The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister welcomed the Afghan Foreign Minister to Kuwait and while mentioning the 57 years of relations between the two countries counted the bilateral cooperation opportunities range as wide and emphasized Kuwait’s support for Afghanistan and strengthening ties between the two countries.
The Afghan Foreign Minister also counted the State of Kuwait’s supports as significant. He mentioned the challenges people faced during the years of Jihad and Resistance and put emphasis on establishing regional consensus for bringing peace.
The Afghan Foreign Minister asked for the establishment of the State of Kuwait’s Embassy in Kabul and insisted on the implementation of the agreement signed in 2007 between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries so the first round of bilateral meetings between Afghanistan and Kuwait, in accordance with the signed agreement, kicks off.
The Afghan Foreign Minister while thanking the State of Kuwait for the its assistance to Afghanistan in the last seventeen years invited Mr. Al Sabah to visit Afghanistan. He asked the Kuwaiti Government and large companies to invest in Afghanistan.
The Afghan Foreign Minister asked the State of Kuwait to support the peace process in Afghanistan and emphasized the need for signing an MoU on sending Afghan workers to Kuwait and asked the state of Kuwait to implement its promise to build a university in Kabul.
The Afghan Foreign Minister asked the State of Kuwait to write-off its USD 20 million debt to Afghanistan.
The Afghan Foreign Minister invited Mr. Al Sabah to attend the Geneva international meeting.
Mr. Al Sabah accepted the Afghan Foreign Minister’s invitation to visit Kabul and attend the Geneva international and emphasized Kuwait’s commitment and support to the peace process and follow up of all mentioned issues in the near future.
At the end, Mr. Rabbani attended the banquet arranged by Mr. Al Sabah.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets Kuwaiti Crown Prince
KABUL – Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Salahuddin Rabbani met with the Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, H.E. Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.
The Kuwaiti Crown Prince welcomed the Afghan Foreign Minister to Kuwait.
The Afghan Foreign Minister presented to the Kuwaiti Crown Prince H.E. the Afghan President’s letter addressed to the Emir of the Sate of Kuwait and thanked the country for assisting Afghanistan during the years of Jihad and the last seventeen years including scholarships granted to the Afghan students.
The Afghan Foreign Minister while mentioning the five-year relation between the two countries asked the Kuwaiti Crown Prince to support Afghanistan with regards to economic development, peace process, counter terrorism, and regional and international cooperation.
Also, the Kuwaiti Crown Prince emphasized support of Kuwait for Afghanistan in all aspects.
Foreign Minister Meets Chinese Ambassador to Kabul
KABUL – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, H.E. Salahuddin Rabbani met with the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kabul, Mr. Liu Jinsong.
Minister Rabbani appreciated the support of China particularly that with regards to building of the Foreign Ministry Guest House.
Both sides held discussions and exchanged views on bilateral and regional cooperation, the tripartite meeting between Afghanistan-China-Pakistan and counter terrorism.
Foreign Minister Meets Special Representative of UN Secretary General to Afghanistan
KABUL – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, H.E. Salahuddin Rabbani met with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to Afghanistan, Mr. Tadamichi Yamamoto.
Mr. Yamamoto provided a brief on the preparations for the Geneva Meeting. The two sides discussed and exchanged views on the Peace Process, holding of elections, and regional as well as global cooperation.
Seminar on the legal procedures of International Treaties from drafting phase to implementation
KABUL – A Seminar on the legal procedures of International Treaties from drafting phase to implementation was held at the Foreign Ministry and attended by Hekmat Khalil Karzai, members of the Parliament, representatives from the Ministry of Justice, and representatives from other related organizations. This seminar was held to accelerate process of international treaties and bringing more coordination among related organizations. Mr. Karzai talked about the importance of international treaties in relationships of countries and said that process and implementation of international treaties are main responsibilities of governments.
Mr. Karzai called lack of cooperation among domestic organizations, lack of concentration on copies of international treaties in local languages, lack of attention to correction of their texts before signing, lack of coordination of related organizations with the Department of Law and Treaties of the Foreign Ministry in terms of signing international treaties, and carelessness in implementation of international treaties as main problems in relation to international treaties.
Afterwards, the participants and Director General Law and Treaties Department talked about international treaties’ position in the laws of Afghanistan, the role of parliament in supervising and implementing international treaties, and main challenges on the way towards processing international treaties.
Deputy Foreign Minister Speaks at Afghanistan Political and Legal Studies Institute
KABUL – Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai delivered a speech on Foreign Policy and Peace in Afghanistan at Afghanistan Political and Legal Studies’ Institute.
Hekmat Khalil Karzai provided detailed information on priorities of foreign policy, government’s policy in bringing peace, neighboring and regional countries’ role in security, and peace and stability in the country.
While talking about responsibilities and role of a diplomat, Hekmat Khalil Karzai added, “A diplomat and a solider have similar and serious responsibilities. A soldier defends his borders and compatriots within the country, and a diplomat defends their country’s interests in the international level.” The meeting ended with presenting an appreciation certificate to Mr. Karzai for his achievements at the Foreign Ministry.
