Netherlands pledges €180m aid in next 3 years

KABUL €60 million in aid annually till 2017.  

At a joint press conference with his Dutch counterpart Bert Koenders, Rabani said the Netherland had provided Afghanistan more than €1 billion in aid in the past decade.

He said the European country being a strong international ally had played an important role in Afghanistan’s development and stability. 

“We discussed several issues of mutual interest at today’s meeting, including economic and security issues,” he said, adding the visiting dignitary had agreed that some of Dutch troops could stay here to train Afghan forces.

He acknowledged Dutch troops had rendered many scarifies during their mission in Uruzgan, Kandahar and Baghlan provinces under the command of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Currently around 100 Dutch trainers are involved in the training of Afghan security forces.  

For his part, Koenders said his country had been supporting the Afghan government. He added the Netherlands was hopeful peace would prevail in Afghanistan.

He expressed satisfaction with the capabilities of Afghan forces, as illustrated by last year’s successful security transition.  

Dutch Defence Minister Hennis Plasschaert Jeanine said major developments took place in Afghanistan and her country remained committed to a long-term partnership with Afghanistan.

She said the Netherlands would provide training and other technical support to Afghan forces, but would not hand over security equipment.

nh/mud

Visits: 0