Afghanistan Times
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Abdul Zuhoor Qayomi-KABUL: Holland pledged to donate €180 million to Afghanistan in next three years.
Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders and Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert in a joint press conference with Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani on Tuesday said that Netherlands would continue its support to Afghanistan. Koenders said that Netherlands was committed to donate €180 million to Afghanistan in coming three years time. “Netherlands will lend its support to Afghans to bring lasting peace to their war-hit country,” he added.
Koenders termed his meeting with Rabbani as fruitful and said that the meeting was focused on exploring ways to expand bilateral relations.
The two Dutch ministers vowed to support Afghanistan its peace efforts. “Netherlands stands committed to help Kabul forge and maintain cordial relations with regional countries, particularly Islamabad, in order to attract their cooperation in ushering long-lasting peace and stability to Afghanistan” they added.
Koenders said that Netherlands supported Afghanistan in healthcare, agriculture, law enforcement and various other sectors over the past decade.
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said that Netherlands’ forces would remain in Afghanistan to train Afghan security forces.
Rabbani appreciated Holland for its support for Afghanistan over the past 13 years in various sectors. He said hitherto Netherlands has donated more than one billion Euros to Afghanistan.
He said that Holland has pledged to donate €60 million annually till 2017. “The donated amount would be spent in healthcare, education and agriculture sectors,” he added. Rabbani said some 100 Dutch officers were currently providing training to Afghan security forces.
