Foreign Secretary - we will not abandon Afghanistan
6 Dec 11
British Foreign Secretary William Hague has said that a blueprint for the international community's long-term engagement with Afghanistan beyond 2014 was established at yesterday's International Afghanistan Conference held in Bonn, Germany.
William Hague explores the bazaar in Nad 'Ali with District Governor Habibullah Khan during a trip to Afghanistan
[Picture: Captain Leanne Christmas, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]
The conference was chaired by Afghanistan, hosted by Germany, and attended by 85 countries and 15 international organisations.
Speaking after the conference, Mr Hague said:
"Today, in Bonn, the UK reiterated, together with over 100 international delegations, the international community's long-term commitment to Afghanistan. We will not abandon Afghanistan; the sacrifices made over the last ten years have not been made in vain. Today's conference has sent a clear signal that Afghanistan's friends will continue to support her long after international combat troops have left the country.
"I am pleased to be able to underline the strength of the UK's relationship with Afghanistan by announcing that President Karzai will visit the United Kingdom immediately after the conference to sign the UK's own long-term partnership agreement with Afghanistan.
Karima (front), a provincial council member from Lashkar Gah, enjoys a cup of tea with fellow provincial council members, a member of the Department of Women's Affairs and members of an ISAF Female Engagement Team in Helmand province
[Picture: ISAF Public Affairs, 2010]
"This conference has established a blueprint for the international community's long-term engagement with Afghanistan beyond 2014.
"We have committed ourselves to provide economic support to Afghanistan for the decade after 2014, until Afghanistan becomes economically self-sustainable. Alongside this, the Afghan Government has committed itself to reinvigorating the progress on key development priorities, including governance, anti-corruption and rule of law.
"We have also agreed to produce a clear plan for the future funding for the Afghan National Security Forces [ANSF] in advance of the NATO Chicago Summit next May. This will ensure the ANSF can tackle challenges to Afghanistan's security beyond 2014.
"We have agreed a clear set of guiding principles for the reconciliation process and its outcomes. This builds on the recent Traditional Loya Jirga and the agreement there to an inclusive, representative peace process. This process has received strong international backing today.
Graduation parade for members of the Afghan National Police at the NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan (NTM-A) Lashkar Gah Training Centre in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan
[Picture: Sergeant Wes Calder, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]
"The Afghan Government has promised to uphold all its international human rights obligations. This is a reassuring step. Afghanistan has also undertaken to protect women's rights as enshrined in the constitution.
"We have a clear framework for co-operation between the Afghan Government and international community. We look forward to building on the commitments agreed today to see the emergence of a stable, secure and prosperous Afghanistan."
The formal conclusions of the international conference on Afghanistan in Bonn can be found at Related Links.
Further information on the conference and the British Government's work in Afghanistan can be found on the Foreign Office's website, also at Related Links.