Hanafi to UN: Remove IEA leaders from blacklist

KABUL (Pajhwok): Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs has once again called on the United Nations to lift sanctions on Afghanistan and remove leaders of the interim government from the blacklist.

Hanafi issued the call at a meeting with Special Representative of Secretary-General and UNAMA head Roza Otunbayeva and the delegation accompanying her.

Otunbayeva said the UN wanted the continuation of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan and hoped for more cooperation from IEA leadership in delivering aid to deserving people.

In a statement from the Presidential Palace, she said the UN had multiple programmes for minimising the impact of climate change, clearing mines and protecting the environment. To achieve the goals, she said, the world body needed cooperation from IEA.

Hanafi appreciated the UN’s efforts for the provision of assistance to Afghans and improvement of Afghanistan’s relation with other countries.

He said the caretaker administration was trying its best to promote economic growth, provide youth with employment opportunities and implement different uplift projects in the country.

The interim government expected greater support from the UN and other humanitarian organisations in the fields of public health, education and others, Hanafi added.

He said: “We want Afghanistan’s seat at the UN to be given to IEA, an end to all sanctions and removal of IEA officials from the blacklist.”

Referring to the current restrictions, Hanafi called them unhelpful and were having a negative impact on relations between Afghanistan and other countries.

It would be better to address such problems and challenges through joint efforts, the deputy premier suggested.

aw/mud