“I am satisfied that we can meet during the first bilateral political consultations in many years,” said Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Marcin Przydacz, opening talks with the Afghan deputy minister of foreign affairs. The consultations discussed the state of bilateral relations in their political, economic, and development aid dimensions. “Poland has supported Afghanistan for two decades through the deployment of the Polish Military Contingent as well as aid projects, and has provided almost 30 million euro to Afghanistan and its inhabitants during this period,” recalled Deputy Minister Marcin Przydacz. As part of this assistance, the first round of training for representatives of the Afghan mid-level government administration was organised in 2019. Given the importance of Afghanistan for regional and global security, Poland has a strong interest in stabilising Afghanistan, restoring peace there, and fully upholding human rights, including those of women and minorities, stressed Minister Przydacz.

 Following the April decision by NATO member states to withdraw their forces from Afghanistan, the country has once again attracted global public attention. Like the other countries of the Alliance and in line with the plan “in together, adjust together, out together,” Poland will be withdrawing its contingent, which is part of Resolute Support mission. Deputy Minister Marcin Przydacz also emphasised that Poland fully supports the intra-Afghan peace talks launched in Qatar in September 2020 and all international initiatives that could contribute to ensuring peace in Afghanistan.

 

MFA Press Office
 

Photo: Łucja Sucharska / MFA