Seminar at NUPI with Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin

H.E. Mr. Ludin started by explaining that ever since the fall of Taliban in 2001, the process has essentially been about transition, and that the people of Afghanistan are now ready to take over. Afghanistan has received an enormous scale of international support, and is very grateful for this. However, Mr. Ludin explained that it is a political necessity to set a date for withdrawal, both for the international community and also for Afghans, as patience is coming to an end for both parts.

The planned transition that will start next month is complex, however absolutely feasible, according to Mr. Ludin. He divided the process into four elements, and stressed that security transition, political transition, economical transition and regional transition all have to come together in order to make the withdrawal a success. The security transition will start already in July this year in several provinces in Afghanistan. The handover of control to local security forces is considered a crucial step towards full assumption of control by Afghan forces, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2014.
 


Politically, the peace and reconciliation process with Taliban needs to succeed as well, and the support of especially Pakistan is crucial in order to accomplish success.
 
Currently Afghan economy is highly dependent on the international presence in the country, and Mr. Ludin honestly explained that it will take time to transfer from being a war economy to becoming a peace economy and that one should consider 2014 a relative date. The economy will experience a depression, but Afghanistan will use its own potential to grow. The international community is urged to continue its financial support to Afghanistan after 2014, and Mr. Ludin exemplified that funding an Afghan army and police force is much cheaper than paying for the presence of international troops. Further Mr. Ludin stressed the importance of being at peace with the countries in the region in order to achieve a successful transition.

Mr. Ludin showed a very positive attitude towards Afghanistan’s potential to accomplish a fully independent, meaningful sovereignty through the upcoming transition process, while at the same time asking for understanding that some elements of the process will take longer than others.