Berlin urges ˈtransparent and freeˈ Afghan presidential elections

Berlin, April 3, IRNA -- German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, here on Thursday called for ˈtransparent and freeˈ presidential elections in Afghanistan. Talking to the daily Osnabruecker Zeitung newspaper, Steinmeier said 2014 could be a make-it-or-break it year for Afghanistan. He stressed ˈtransparent and freeˈ Afghan presidential elections could pave the way for a new political beginning and for important decisions regarding the future of the war-stricken country. Steinmeier urged the next Afghan government to implement much-needed political reforms, especially in the area of good governance and tackling corruption. On Saturday, Afghanistan is holding its third presidential elections since the fall of the Taliban in late 2001./end