Karzai off to Germany for Bonn Conference

KABUL): At the head of a high-powered delegation, President Karzai on Friday left for Germany to participate at the second Bonn conference, officials said.

Officials from 100 countries and representatives from 15 international organisations would attend Monday’s meeting on global political, economic and military assistance to Afghanistan after 2014.

President Karzai will highlight the achievements of the international community and his government over the past one decade, including the reconciliation process and strategic cooperation with the world.

Security challenges, lack of attention to Afghanistan’s economic revival, reconstruction of Karzai’s speech, the Presidential Palace in Kabul said.

On the sidelines of the conference, Karzai will meet UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and other high-ranking officials.

Karzai will proceed from Bonn to Berlin to meet Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Christian Wulff, before flying to London for talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince Charles.

A statement from his office said the president would a long-term strategic cooperation pact with the UK, in addition to addressing university students in London.

Speaker of Wolesi Jirga chairman Fazal Hadi Muslimyar, Senior Minister Hidayat Amin Arsala, Foreign Minister Zalmay Rasoul and Defence Minister Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak are part of the delegation.

National Security Advisor Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Finance Minister Omar Zakhilwal, Social Affairs Minister Amina Fazli, Public Health Qayamuddin Kashaf and human rights commission head, Sima Samar are also accompanying Karzai.

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