FM, UNAMA chief confer on development aid

KABUL (Pajhwok): Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi and UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative Roza Otunbayeva have discussed Afghanistan’s economic growth, humanitarian and development assistance.

Muttaqi met Otunbayeva, who also heads UNAMA, met in Kabul, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a statement.

Muttaqi briefed the top UN diplomat about the caretaker government’s achievements in various fields, particularly economic stability, over the last three years.

He said Afghanistan’s economy, having stabilised, was moving towards growth. World Bank’s recent report, indicating 2.7 percent economic growth this year, was a proof, he added.

Muttaqi said: “Other economic development initiatives are currently underway and Afghanistan will witness rapid progress with their execution.”

For her part, Otunbayeva said the volume of development aid to Afghanistan had surpassed to humanitarian assistance over the past three years.

The surging development assistance would have a positive impact on Afghanistan’s economy, the UNAMA chief hoped.

She praised the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s efforts to foster economic stability and pledged to highlight the accomplishments at upcoming UN meetings.

kk/mud