The Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, H.E. Mawlawi Abdul Salaam Hanafi, met with Mr. Markus Potzel, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, and his delegation.
During their discussions, Mr. Potzel commended the efforts of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) in ensuring security and acknowledged the positive progress made. He also reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to providing ongoing assistance to the Afghan people, particularly those affected by recent flash floods in various provinces and the challenges posed by expelled immigrants from neighboring countries. Mr. Potzel stated our belief that humanitarian aid alone is insufficient for the people and emphasized the necessity for foundational work to be carried out within this country.
Mr. Potzel praised the steadfast actions of the IEA in combatting the cultivation, trafficking, and use of drugs, expressing hope for the dissemination of comprehensive information about Afghanistan to the world.
In response, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, H.E. Mawlawi Abdul Salaam Hanafi, warmly welcomed Mr. Potzel and his accompanying delegation. He expressed gratitude for the humanitarian assistance provided by the UN to the people of Afghanistan. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring that the Afghan nation can engage in their daily activities with peace of mind.
Furthermore, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted that in addition to the prohibition of drug cultivation, trafficking, and usage, the IEA has undertaken numerous actions to address various issues. These include combating administrative corruption, managing and resettling over 1.5 million expelled immigrants from neighboring countries, and promoting agricultural development in Afghanistan. He expressed hope that aid agencies would engage in practical projects, such as TAPI, Tap, Afghan-Trans, and alternative crop cultivation, to discourage youth immigration to foreign nations and to cooperate with local farmers.
In conclusion, the Deputy Prime Minister reiterated that the IEA does not permit any groups or individuals to utilize Afghan soil for activities against other countries. He emphasized the desire for positive relations with all neighboring countries, as well as region and beyond region.
