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MPs endorse accords with Norway, Finland

MPs endorse accords with Norway, Finland

author avatar
12 Apr 2014 - 18:29
MPs endorse accords with Norway, Finland
author avatar
12 Apr 2014 - 18:29

KABUL or the lower house of parliament on Saturday ratified two agreements on strategic cooperation the government has signed with Norway and Finland.

Abdul Qadir Zazai Watandost, a Kabul lawmaker, who heads the house international affairs commission, said the agreements had been signed in the great benefit of the people and the government of Afghanistan.

Under the accord reached with Norway in 2012, Oslo would assist Kabul in devekoping Afghanistan’s economic, security and political sectors, he added.

Zazai said the Norwegian government had promised paying travel costs of illegal Afghan migrants from Norway to their homeland.

Lawmakers also approved another agreement with Finland. The international affairs commission’s deputy head, Qazi Rahila Salim, briefed her colleagues on the deal, calling it an important step forward in improving ties with Helsinki.

Under this agreement, Finland would give Afghanistan 30 million euros in annual aid for 10 years after 2014 to help the country develop its sectors, she added.

Salim said Helsinki would also cooperate with Kabul in training teachers, formulating academic curriculum as well as training and equipping Afghan security forces.

After lawmakers wound up the debate, Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi asked them to raise cards in endorsement of the pacts.

About 98 MPs raised green cards and 28 red for the agreement with Norway and 114 votes were in favour and 12 against the accord with Finland.

mm/rm/ma

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