Norway increases civilian efforts in Afghanistan

- The Government’s engagement in Afghanistan is based on an integrated strategy. We must strike the right balance between the civilian and the military dimension. The most important task today is to focus on the political challenges and coordinate our efforts, and the Government intends to do its part, says Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Jonas Gahr Støre in a press statement.

Minister Støre emphasizes that the challenges in Afghanistan require political solutions. Afghan institutions must be built up at both provincial and local level. Providing resources and better opportunities to give basic services to the Afghan people is also essential in order to strengthen the legitimacy of the Afghan state and create a more unified nation through a policy of reconciliation.

- Our military efforts will continue, and we will stand by our commitments in this respect. Without security, no development. And without development, no lasting security. The military efforts must continue to support the civilian efforts, but without becoming directly involved in them. This is a question of different roles, Minister Støre continues.

Read the press statement from the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs here:
http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/ud/press/News/2008/afghanistan_engagement.html?id=499208


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