Niklasson: Aid alone can’t solve Afghanistan’s economic problems

KABUL (Pajhwok): European Union special representative for Afghanistan Tomas Niklasson has said humanitarian aid alone cannot solve Afghanistan’s economic problems.

He stressed on development work in Afghanistan to resolve the country’s economic problems during a meeting with Foreign Minster Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul.

Abdul Qahar Balkhi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, wrote on his Twitter page that Niklasson and his delegation met with Muttaqi on Monday.

At the meeting, the EU envoy condemned Friday’s suicide attack on Kaj educational center in Kabul and called it an attack against Afghans.

He said the EU, the United States and partners had now come to the conclusion that humanitarian aid alone could not solve Afghanistan’s economic problems and development work should be carried out.

Referring to the sanctions on Afghanistan, the delegation said Afghans should not be subjected to collective punishment as this would harm peace and the fight against insecurity.

For his part, Muttaqi said Daesh and other similar groups had been suppressed in Afghanistan. He said available opportunities and conditions in Afghanistan should be considered and interaction should be continued in the light of facts.

“We have many achievements that the West should not ignore and we should have a clear strategy for positive interaction and development with each other."

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