Today the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, Mr Miomir Zuzul, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Joschka Fischer, signed a Joint Declaration on a civilian cooperation within the Framework of the German Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Feyzabad/Afghanistan.
Joint Press Statement on Croatian German- Co-operation within the Framework of the German PRT, Feyzabad
Today the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, Mr Miomir Zuzul, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Joschka Fischer, signed a Joint Declaration on a civilian cooperation within the Framework of the German Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Feyzabad/Afghanistan.
Beginning in November 2004 Croatia will provide significant civilian contributions (one diplomat, two police experts) to the German PRT in Feyzabad. Croatia understands her contribution as a long-term commitment that may be adjustable in size and content according to mission requirements.
The aim of the PRT in Feyzabad as part of the NATO-led International Assistance Force (ISAF) is to bolster the authority of the central government in the provinces and contribute to a stabilization of the region, thereby paving the way for reconstruction measures. The mandate for ISAF was recently extended by the UN Security Council (UNSCR 1563) on 17 September 2004.
The establishment of a second German PRT in the city of Feyzabad (shortly to be fully operational) will significantly enhance the international presence in the remote province of Badakhshan, of which Feyzabad is the capital. At present, Germany is establishing logistics for the new PRT. To that aim, about 70 German soldiers are already on duty in Feyzabad. Initial Operational Capability has been achieved.
Germany highly appreciates the Croatian contribution which represents a significant support to the civilian mission of the PRT. This German-Croation cooperation underscores the ongoing efforts to stabilize and rebuild Afghanistan in the run-up to the first ever Presidential elections in Afghanistan on October 9.
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