The International Meeting on Afghan Development was held in London, Great Britain on January 31. Afghan President Karzai, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the UNSC and representatives from more than 70 countries and 40 international organizations attended the meeting.
Blair presided over the opening ceremony of the meeting. The representatives from all parties reviewed the fulfillment of Bonn Process with satisfaction. At the same time they pointed out that the reconstruction of Afghanistan still faces severe challenges. The reconstruction of Afghanistan in the next phase was discussed in the meeting. All countries agreed to continue to work hand in hand and help Afghanistan realize its permanent peace, security and development.
Li Zhaoxing expressed in his speech that the Chinese side is willing to provide long-term support to Afghanistan and develop long-term cooperation with Afghanistan in the spirit of mutual benefit, win-win results and common development. He made four promises on behalf of the Chinese government. First, in 2006 the Chinese side will provide RMB 80 million of grant aid to the Afghan side and most Afghan export commodities to China will receive duty-free treatment. Second, China will support the efforts by the Afghan government to fight against terrorism and strengthen training of national defense staffs, law enforcers and policemen. Third, China will take part in international cooperation. China will make joint efforts with Afghanistan and its neighboring countries to carry out the Kabul Declaration on Good-Neighborly Relations and Counter-Narcotics. China will support the efforts of Shanghai Cooperation Organization to establish the safe belt on counter-narcotics and develop cooperation in substituting narcotic plant. Fourth, China will support competitive and creditable Chinese enterprises in contracting projects in Afghanistan to take part in reconstruction and make investment in infrastructure, electric power, mineral resources and transportation.
Li Zhaoxing expressed that developing regional cooperation is an effective approach for the international community and neighboring countries to help Afghanistan realize stability and development and integrate into the international community. He suggested giving priority to the cooperation in establishing regional transportation networks, fully utilizing the existed regional cooperation mechanism s to strengthen pragmatic cooperation with Afghanistan, and carrying out close cooperation with Afghanistan in security field such as counter-narcotics, anti-terrorism and border management so as to create a sound environment for regional economic cooperation.
The meeting passed the Afghan Agreement.