Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs meets Head of UNAMA

KABUL, Feb. 10 – The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, met with Ms. Deborah Lyons Head of UNAMA, and accompanying delegation, said Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the spokesman of foreign ministry.

The meeting discussed humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the private and banking sectors, development projects, job creation and facilitation if working environment in detail.
The Foreign Minister said; Afghanistan is one of the importing countries while sanctions have led to high prices therefore should be lifted.
He added that the new government inherited debate of the old administration for electricity and some development projects, which need to be repaid and the remaining projects completed.

Ms. Lyons noted that we have asked the international community for about $8 billion in humanitarian and development assistance, and are in talks with the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank to help Afghanistan’s banking system stand on its own and provide contractors bills and remaining half of the projects will be funded.

The head of UNAMA expressed satisfaction that the new government was well-coordinated with all the organs with which it was working, and described the economic conference held in Kabul as useful.
Mr. Muttaqi commended the United Nations for its humanitarian assistance and good relations with the new government, and called their efforts constructive for the reconstruction and economic development of Afghanistan.