Afghanistan and United Arab Emirates Ink Enduring Strategic - TopicsExpress

Afghanistan and United Arab Emirates Ink Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE Prime Minister and the Emir of Dubai, stressed on expansion of bilateral cooperation between Afghanistan and UAE. In a meeting held between the two leaders, the UAE Prime Minister vowed that his country will support the Afghan Government in running skill building programs for state officials. Expressing UAE’s enthusiasm over investment and enhancing economic activities in Afghanistan, the UAE Prime Minister spoke about hosting the Governance Conference next month in UAE participated by delegations of 80 countries, and invited the government of Afghanistan as well to attend. The UAE government also uttered to lend support in establishing proper circumstances to the intra-Afghans peace process and returning the armed oppositions of Afghan government to the normal life. Following the meeting, the Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement was signed by Afghan National Security Adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar and UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Mohammad Qarqash, in the presence of President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and UAEs Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. By signing this agreement, the two countries reiterated long-term cooperation and partnership based upon mutual respect to principles of national sovereignty, and mutual interest in the areas of politics, security, economic, cultural, governance and rule of law. This agreement secures both countries’ cooperation in the fields of security, civil protection, and fight against terrorism, and sharing expertise in raising efficiency of security institutions. The cooperation between the two countries, according to the agreement, also includes improving capabilities of Afghan National Police, tackling corruption via institutional reforms and law enforcement, encouraging the development of a strong private sector, expanding trade and investment, job creation, rural development, alternative livelihoods, upgrading key transport infrastructure, promoting education of girls and boys, regional cooperation and integration, preservation of Afghanistan cultural heritages, expanding civil services, educational programs, transport links between the two countries, and direct people to people contacts.