Afghanistan, Poland hold political consultation after 30-year gap

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan’s Deputy foreign ministries Mirwais Nab and Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz held the first round of political consultations almost after 30 years, according to a statement on Friday.
Main topics of discussion included bilateral relations, peace process, the new chapter of partnership with the Republic of Poland post foreign troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, cooperation in the fields of economic, agricultural, banking and education, the UN as well as regional and international cooperation. Deputy Foreign Minister Nab expressed his gratitude to the Polish Government for its investment in blood and treasure over the past 20 years.
He paid homage to the 44 Polish soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan. Nab stressed on the importance of further strengthening the bilateral ties between Afghanistan and Poland. He also hoped that the new chapter of partnership opened new horizons of collaboration with Afghanistan’s partners especially with Poland.
Deputy Foreign Minister HE Mr Marcin Przydacz expressed his satisfaction with the possibility of holding consultations for the first time since 1993 and recalled the almost century-long historical ties between the two countries. He underlined that since 2002 Poland has supported Afghanistan with the military presence of its troops and contributed nearly 30 million EUR towards the development of Afghanistan and its society.
He declared his country’s readiness to continue its support for peace, stability and prosperity of Afghanistan. He added that Poland hoped for maintaining a lasting peace and Afghanistan’s achievements built during the last 20 years, including in the field of human rights, especially the rights of women and religious minorities. Afghan Ambassador to Warsaw Mr. Tahir Qadiry, Ambassador Hamid Sediq, senior advisor to the MFA, Mr. Witold Sobków, Director General of the Asia-Pacific Department, MFA Poland, and Polish Ambassador to Afghanistan Mr. Adam Burakowski also attended the political consultations. Direct diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Poland were established during Ghazi King Amanullah Khan’s reign in 1927. Both countries have been enjoying close ties ever since. Poland has been a solid partner in the security and infrastructure fields since 2001.