Hungarian Institute of Foreign Affairs, April 20, 2012.
As prepared for delivery.

  • It was just a month ago that I had the honor to meet and have discussions with H.E. Senator Faqiri Haji Nazar, and in December with Governor Munshi Abdul Majeed. These distinguished Afghan politicians have paid a visit to the Institute of Foreign Affairs as well.
  • If I am not wrong, this is already the fourth event organized in Budapest since last December that is dedicated to the issues related to Afghanistan. What else could indicate better the interest towards a country that is thousands of kilometers away from Central Europe?
  • After Hungary took over the lead of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Baghlan Province, Afghanistan has become one of our priority countries in the field of development cooperation and a recipient of the largest share of our bilateral assistance.
  • Hungary is engaged in playing an active role in strengthening Afghanistan’s stability and reconstruction in order to assure a sustainable and long-term growth and development, which is even more important in view of the forthcoming devolution.
  • Just to illustrate the volume of our engagement: over the past years Hungary has implemented about 500 projects in Afghanistan worth a total of approx. 7.5 million EUR (2 billion HUF). The main areas of our development activity are the following: improving the institutional capacities of the relevant Afghan authorities, agriculture, and water management, the efficient provision of basic services (in particular in the fields of education and health), infrastructure, and gender equality. Our implementing agents have been both governmental and non-governmental organizations. I would like to take this opportunity to praise our hosts’ current and past activities.
  • Education is one of the most important fields of our activity. Currently 24 Afghan students are studying at Hungarian educational facilities financed from Hungarian IDC funds. What other investment can contribute better to the development of a country and its nation than the education of its future leaders and specialists?
  • Hungary has recently appointed a new Development Advisor (DEVAD) to Baghlan Province to assist our IDC activities and engage in cooperation with other donors on the ground.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

  • This conference takes place in the thick of international events that have a bearing on Afghanistan:
    • At the end of March the Fifth Regional Economic Cooperation Conference for Afghanistan took place in Dushanbe.
    • Only yesterday NATO foreign and defense ministers, together with ISAF partners, discussed in Brussels the content of long term engagement with Afghanistan.
    • At the end of April special representatives for Afghanistan and Pakistan of the international community will come together in Abu Dhabi for the next meeting of the International Contact Group.
    • In May Chicago will host the NATO summit where important decisions, including a new alliance strategy for Afghanistan are expected to be made.
    • The summer holds further important meetings in Kabul on regional cooperation and in Tokyo on development assistance.
  • All this international activity is telling and should be viewed in the context of developments on the ground. Transition is on track indicating that the established timeframe is realistic. Efforts are not spared for making headway in other aspects of stabilization as well.
  • Hungary is also continuously adapting to the situation and takes her fair share of the international efforts aimed at bringing peace and prosperity to Afghanistan. Our Government is committed to remaining engaged until the end of transition and beyond.
  • This commitment was reconfirmed by Hungary aligning herself with the 3-C Initiative (Coalition of Committed Contributors) contributing to the long term funding of the ANSF.
  • We are looking forward to the opening of Afghanistan’s Embassy in Budapest as a symbol of the process of further stabilization in the country, as well as an acknowledgement of Hungary’s efforts to contribute to the peace, stabilization and reconstruction.
  • Looking at the topics to be discussed today, I am convinced that we are in for a day rich in ideas and vivid exchanges of views. I would like to wish you all a successful meeting. Thank you for your kind attention.

(kormany.hu)