Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Office of the President

July 20, 2008

In a meeting on Saturday in the Presidential Palace in Kabul, French Defense Minister Herve Morin, who is on a visit of Afghanistan assured President Hamid Karzai of his country’s continued commitment to the people of Afghanistan.

Minister Morin said, “France will continue to stand by the people of Afghanistan in their efforts for development.”

Praising the relationship between the two countries, President Karzai thanked the people and the government of France for their assistance in ensuring security and reconstruction in Afghanistan. The President particularly thanked France for its hosting of a recent conference in Paris where some $ 21.4 million was pledged to finance Afghanistan’s development plans.

Minister Morin visited his troops stationed in the northern province of Kapisa.

France announced on April its decision to increase the number of its troops to 2,000 to be led under the NATO International Security Assistance Force.

French troops are also engaged in providing training to the Afghan National Army. It has announced in the Paris Conference another $ 167 million in new aid to the reconstruction of Afghanistan.