UAE hosts International Contact Group on Afghanistan

Abu Dhabi, April 26, 2012 (WAM) - The UAE hosted here yesterday the International Contact Group on Afghanistan with participation of 60 countries and a number of the regional and international organisations. Dr Saeed Al Shamsi, Assistant UAE Foreign Minister for the International Organisations, Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, welcomed in his speech Ambassador Michael Koch, new Special Envoy of Germany for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Marking the end of his tenure, Dr Al Shamsi congratulated Major General Faris Al Mazrouei, Assistant Foreign Minister for the Security and Military Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on his appointment as a new UAE envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. He added that the security and stability of Afghanistan is linked to the regional and international security, hence there should be an international consensus to support the Afghan national security forces after 2014. Al Shamsi stressed that the UAE is committed to use its capabilities regarding the strategic location and experiences to further support the development in Afghanistan, adding that the UAE sees the economic stability as a safety valve for the security and peace in Afghanistan. – Emirates News Agency, WAM