ID :
203486
Thu, 08/25/2011 - 13:18
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/203486
The shortlink copeid
UAE pledges US$ 250 million for reconstruction in Afghanistan: Abdullah bin Zayed
Abu Dhabi, Aug 25, 2011 (WAM) - UAE Foreign Minister HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced yesterday the UAE would offer a grant of US$250 million for reconstruction projects in Afghanistan.
Sheikh Abdullah said the financial aid, which will be managed by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), would be channelled into development projects with special focus on housing for orphans, widows and disabled persons, as well as rehabilitation of the capital, Kabul, and other states.
''The grant is part of an aid package the UAE is offering to Afghanistan and it is a vote of confidence on the Afghan government for the achievements it has made despite the challenging circumstances it has experienced,'' Sheikh Abdullah said at a joint press conference he held here with his Afghan counterpart Zalmay Rasoul at the end of the two-day first meeting of the UAE-Afghanistan joint committee.
Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the vital importance of mobilising international efforts towards supporting development programmes in Afghanistan, saying :'' We are looking forward for fruitful, flourishing ties between our countries.......we are proud of our bonds with Afghanistan which had achieved many successful steps in the service of the Afghan people.
Sheikh Abdullah termed outcome of the joint committee meeting as '' fruitful'' as several measures had been taken towards further consolidation of bilateral bonds.
Turning to the latest situation in Libya, the UAE foreign minister said :''I will travel to Banghazi next week'', adding that the Arab foreign ministers will gather in Cairo next Saturday to review the situation in Libya.
Libya's seat in the Arab League and recognition of the National Transitional Council (NTC) will top the agenda of the Pan-Arab meeting.
''The UAE was among the first countries that recognised the NTC and dealt with it ......... the UAE was also at the forefront of countries appealing to the international community to stop bloodletting in Libya ....... We in the GCC had also appealed to the Arab League and international community to push efforts for issuing the UN Security Council Resolution 1973 on protection of Libyan civilians,'' Sheikh Abdullah remarked.
The UAE top diplomat said the Libyan people had experienced injustice and repression over the 40 year rule of Qaddafi's regime and the coming days would be tough for our brothers in Libya. He hoped the Arabs would pursue their support for and assistance to the Libyan people.
''The former Libyan government owns assets in the UAE but I'm not sure of the size of these funds and possessions. They could be in the range of US$ 500-700 million ........ Lifting the freeze on these assets should only come from the UN Security Council ..... The UAE would like to see the release of Libyan assets as soon as possible and will back that resolution but if that doesn't take place, the UAE has no discretion on these assets,'' Sheikh Abdullah indicated.
As for Syria, he said the situation would be discussed at next Saturday meeting in Cairo.
For his part, Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmay Rasoul spoke highly about the role the UAE is playing as a provider for development aid so as to improve living and humanitarian conditions of the Afghan people and maintain stability in the country.
Rasoul also appreciated the UAE sustained efforts to carry out projects that aim to alleviate suffering generated by the brunt of current burdens and unfolding events in Afghanistan.
''The UAE has a pivotal role to play in the future of Afghanistan and we are looking forward for further enhancement of bilateral ties for the best interest of the two peoples and for advancing peace and stability in the region,'' he added.
The UAE aid, he noted, demonstrates the depth of human, brotherly bonds and underlines the unflagging support by the leadership, government and people of UAE for Afghanistan. ''We also agreed that there will be regular consultations on topics of mutual interest at regional and international level.
The Afghan foreign minister paid special tribute the UAE force in Afghanistan which is defending and assisting the Afghan people.
He expressed his hope for a broad security and military cooperation with the UAE.
In a concluding remarks at the joint committee meeting, the UAE foreign minister said that his recent trip to Kabul had come to confirm the UAE's unequivocal commitment to security and stability in Afghanistan and to delivering assistance to the Afghan government in all spheres including military and development whether through bilateral level or through joint cooperation with other international partners.
Sheikh Abdullah lauded relentless efforts being made by the Afghan government to restore peace and stability and clear all obstacles before implementation of development projects in all provinces.
He asserted the crucial role the UAE force plays in reconstruction and delivery of humanitarian assistance in addition to its core mission for maintaining security and stability.
He indicated that heads of the preparatory committee examined yesterday avenues of joint cooperation in areas of economy, investment, banking, security, civil aviation, and humanitarian and development assistance.
Obstacles hindering work in development projects were also discussed,'' he explained.
He said that the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Civil Aviation Authority and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development were assisting the Afghan civil aviation sector. ''The UAE is partnering with Germany to set up a centre for training of air controllers and commissioning an inclusive strategic study for upgrading the vital sector in Afghanistan,' he said.
''The UAE is toiling to boost bilateral economic and trade relations through increasing trade exchange which stood at US$2.25 billion in 2010. We hope that agreements for joint cooperation in economy, trade and investment would be sealed at the nearest time.
Later, the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding on political consultations between the foreign ministries in the two countries.
The ADFD and government of Afghanistan inked the $250 million grant for funding development projects. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
Sheikh Abdullah said the financial aid, which will be managed by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), would be channelled into development projects with special focus on housing for orphans, widows and disabled persons, as well as rehabilitation of the capital, Kabul, and other states.
''The grant is part of an aid package the UAE is offering to Afghanistan and it is a vote of confidence on the Afghan government for the achievements it has made despite the challenging circumstances it has experienced,'' Sheikh Abdullah said at a joint press conference he held here with his Afghan counterpart Zalmay Rasoul at the end of the two-day first meeting of the UAE-Afghanistan joint committee.
Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the vital importance of mobilising international efforts towards supporting development programmes in Afghanistan, saying :'' We are looking forward for fruitful, flourishing ties between our countries.......we are proud of our bonds with Afghanistan which had achieved many successful steps in the service of the Afghan people.
Sheikh Abdullah termed outcome of the joint committee meeting as '' fruitful'' as several measures had been taken towards further consolidation of bilateral bonds.
Turning to the latest situation in Libya, the UAE foreign minister said :''I will travel to Banghazi next week'', adding that the Arab foreign ministers will gather in Cairo next Saturday to review the situation in Libya.
Libya's seat in the Arab League and recognition of the National Transitional Council (NTC) will top the agenda of the Pan-Arab meeting.
''The UAE was among the first countries that recognised the NTC and dealt with it ......... the UAE was also at the forefront of countries appealing to the international community to stop bloodletting in Libya ....... We in the GCC had also appealed to the Arab League and international community to push efforts for issuing the UN Security Council Resolution 1973 on protection of Libyan civilians,'' Sheikh Abdullah remarked.
The UAE top diplomat said the Libyan people had experienced injustice and repression over the 40 year rule of Qaddafi's regime and the coming days would be tough for our brothers in Libya. He hoped the Arabs would pursue their support for and assistance to the Libyan people.
''The former Libyan government owns assets in the UAE but I'm not sure of the size of these funds and possessions. They could be in the range of US$ 500-700 million ........ Lifting the freeze on these assets should only come from the UN Security Council ..... The UAE would like to see the release of Libyan assets as soon as possible and will back that resolution but if that doesn't take place, the UAE has no discretion on these assets,'' Sheikh Abdullah indicated.
As for Syria, he said the situation would be discussed at next Saturday meeting in Cairo.
For his part, Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmay Rasoul spoke highly about the role the UAE is playing as a provider for development aid so as to improve living and humanitarian conditions of the Afghan people and maintain stability in the country.
Rasoul also appreciated the UAE sustained efforts to carry out projects that aim to alleviate suffering generated by the brunt of current burdens and unfolding events in Afghanistan.
''The UAE has a pivotal role to play in the future of Afghanistan and we are looking forward for further enhancement of bilateral ties for the best interest of the two peoples and for advancing peace and stability in the region,'' he added.
The UAE aid, he noted, demonstrates the depth of human, brotherly bonds and underlines the unflagging support by the leadership, government and people of UAE for Afghanistan. ''We also agreed that there will be regular consultations on topics of mutual interest at regional and international level.
The Afghan foreign minister paid special tribute the UAE force in Afghanistan which is defending and assisting the Afghan people.
He expressed his hope for a broad security and military cooperation with the UAE.
In a concluding remarks at the joint committee meeting, the UAE foreign minister said that his recent trip to Kabul had come to confirm the UAE's unequivocal commitment to security and stability in Afghanistan and to delivering assistance to the Afghan government in all spheres including military and development whether through bilateral level or through joint cooperation with other international partners.
Sheikh Abdullah lauded relentless efforts being made by the Afghan government to restore peace and stability and clear all obstacles before implementation of development projects in all provinces.
He asserted the crucial role the UAE force plays in reconstruction and delivery of humanitarian assistance in addition to its core mission for maintaining security and stability.
He indicated that heads of the preparatory committee examined yesterday avenues of joint cooperation in areas of economy, investment, banking, security, civil aviation, and humanitarian and development assistance.
Obstacles hindering work in development projects were also discussed,'' he explained.
He said that the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Civil Aviation Authority and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development were assisting the Afghan civil aviation sector. ''The UAE is partnering with Germany to set up a centre for training of air controllers and commissioning an inclusive strategic study for upgrading the vital sector in Afghanistan,' he said.
''The UAE is toiling to boost bilateral economic and trade relations through increasing trade exchange which stood at US$2.25 billion in 2010. We hope that agreements for joint cooperation in economy, trade and investment would be sealed at the nearest time.
Later, the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding on political consultations between the foreign ministries in the two countries.
The ADFD and government of Afghanistan inked the $250 million grant for funding development projects. - Emirates News Agency, WAM
