Japan reiterates support, cooperation to Afghanistan

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Japanese ambassador Okada Takashi has said his country is committed to increasing manifold its support and assistance to Afghanistan.

The Japanese envoy to Kabul traveled to Kandahar province yesterday and met provincial officials and businesspeople.

Haji Zaid, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News that Okada visited Kandahar on Sunday.

The diplomat during meeting with officials and businessmen reaffirmed that his country would strengthen relations with Afghanistan and promised help in economic growth of the war-torn country.

Kandahar Foreign Affairs Director Maulvi Abdul Shakoor Haqqani thanked Japan for its assistance and cooperation.

He said Afghanistan was currently safe and the ground was paved for world’s interaction with the country.

Haji Zaid said: “Even though officials of the Islamic Emirate have repeatedly asked the ambassadors and representatives of foreign countries that the world should interact with them, no country has yet recognized the Islamic Emirate.”

sa/ma