Japan wants world to normalise ties with Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): The normalisation of relations between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and international community is in the interest of both sides, UN secretary- general's former special representative Tadamichi Yamamoto says.

Yamamoto said Japan was ready to play its role in bringing Afghanistan and the global fraternity closer.

Tadamichi Yamamoto, a retired Japanese diplomat, served as the UN security-general’s special representative for Afghanistan for five years.

Yamamoto’s mission ended in March of 2020. Currently, he is visiting Afghanistan as part of a Japanese delegation.

A statement from the Presidential Palace stated Yamamoto, Japanese embassy charge d'affaires and the head of Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) met Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Abdul Salam Hanafi in Kabul on Sunday.

During this meeting, ex-UN envoy said the normalisation of relations between IEA and the world was in the interest of both sides. Japan was ready to cooperate in this regard, he added.

SPF head Atsushi Sunami expressed his pleasure over the restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan. “We are the voice of the people of Japan and are ready to help this nation.”

Peace and stability in Afghanistan had paved the way for greater activities in health, education, agriculture and irrigation sectors, Sunami noted.

Sunami said: “The aim of our foundation is the prosperity of all Afghans. We will spare no effort in this regard.”

The Japanese charge d'affaires said his country had given Afghanistan over $58 million in humanitarian aid and would continue helping the needy Afghans, including repatriates.

Hanafi discussed different aspects of Japan’s assistance to Afghanistan and praised the activities of Tetsu Nakmura.

Nakmura, head of Peace Japan Medical Services (PMS) Welfare Foundation, was killed in a gun attack in eastern Nangarhar province on December 4, 2019.

During his 15-year mission in Afghanistan, he implemented multiple agricultural projects in Khewa, Dara-i-Noor, Kama and Behsud districts.

The caretaker government had announced a blanket amnesty, banned drug cultivation, trafficking and production and beefed up security in the country, Hanafi said.

He cited the rehabilitation of drug addicts, prevention of corruption and budget funding with domestic revenue as IEA achievements.

“We are struggling for the reconstruction and prosperity of Afghanistan,” the deputy premier continued.

The incumbent administration desired good relations with all countries on the basis of mutual respect and would not allow activities against any one from the territory of Afghanistan.

aw/mud