London Conference on Afghanistan, 28 January 2010:
Indonesia supports international efforts for peace and development process in Afghanistan
The attendance of a high ranking Indonesian delegation led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr R M Mary M Natalegawa at the London conference on Afghanistan on 28 January underlined the Republic of Indonesia’s strong commitment to promoting international peace and regional security.
Jointly hosted by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Indonesia participated fully among the delegations representing 69 countries and 11 regional and international organisations such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and NATO; the conference was also attended by representatives from international non government organisations (NGOs) with humanitarian missions in Afghanistan.
Aimed at enhancing international efforts to support the Afghan Government to achieve peace and stability, the Conference specifically discussed what the International Community should do to assist the Afghan Government in the areas of security, good governance, development and regional cooperation.
The Conference’s joint communiqué underlined the importance of national unity, sense of ownership and the role of the Afghan people in the process of development.
Speaking on behalf of the Indonesian Government Mr Natalegawa expressed Indonesia’s appreciation for the initiative to hold the conference. Indonesia remains optimistic about the commitment of the International Community to Afghanistan and welcomes the many achievements already made by the Afghan Government in the development of the country amid many challenges, especially in relation to security, national reconciliation and rehabilitation, said Mr Natalegawa.
In particular Indonesia’s Foreign Minister emphasised his country’s commitment to continue supporting the Afghan process to strengthen its institutions, i.e. through programmes in the areas of education, health and agricultural which started in 2003.
Indonesia played an important role in programmes aimed to reduce poverty, promote micro businesses with finance, marketing and incubator schemes, renewable energy, to improve agricultural technology, the health of mothers and children, explained Mr Natalegawa.
He added that Indonesia believed that peace, security and stability in Afghanistan were crucial for international peace and stability. Therefore the International Community should fully support Afghan’s national reconciliation process, said Mr Natalegawa, who expressed further Indonesia’s hopes and believes that the Afghan people, working together with the International Community, would be able to deal with the many challenges.
In the confines of the Conference the Indonesian Foreign Minister met amongst other US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton on 27 for a meeting to discuss the situation in Afghanistan as well as bilateral matters such as the cooperation between the United States and Indonesia in the areas of economy, trade, science, technology and defence. Mrs. Clinton expressed her appreciation of the Indonesian support and assistance to Afghanistan’s development process. Mr Natalegawa also held bilateral meeting with other foreign ministers present at the Conference.
London, 28 January 2010
