Italy’s commitment to support the stabilisation of Afghanistan and the consolidation of sustainable economic growth there continues. To give a concrete signal in this respect, Foreign Minister Terzi has met Daud Shah Saba, the Governor of Herat, who expressed his satisfaction with the results of the first six months of the transition, results to which Italy made a significant contribution.
On the eve of the second stage of the transition, which will extend to most of the districts in Herat province, Minister Terzi reiterated to Governor Saba Italy’s commitment to long-term civil cooperation to foster political reconciliation, institutional stability and economic development in the country. The Afghan Governor thanked the Minister for Italy’s efforts, especially those in the form of Development Cooperation and infrastructure development projects. He underscored how important is was for bilateral cooperation to be extended to cultural and linguistic promotion also, following the model of the fruitful relations established by a number of Italian universities with the University of Herat.
Pending President Karzai’s forthcoming visit to Italy, Minister Plenipotentiary Francesco Talò, the Foreign Minister’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, will shortly be visiting Herat to attend the ceremony opening the second stage of the transition process in the region. The Envoy will examine the various projects supported by Italy and discuss the possibility of extending our civilian-diplomatic presence in Herat and, in so doing, meeting a specific Afghan request.
Since 2001, funding for Afghanistan approved by Italian Development Cooperation amounts to 570 million euros. This has mainly been allocated to projects in the humanitarian aid, health, rural development, road infrastructure and governance and rule of law sectors. To highlight and build on these initiatives, the Foreign Ministry’s Directorate General for Development Cooperation will be organising an event at the MAXXI Museum in February 2012.
