Minister Grabar-Kitarović on two-day official visit to Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

During the meeting with President Karzai and Foreign Minister Abdullah, both sides expressed a wish for the strengthening and deepening of the economic and political bilateral relations. Minister Grabar-Kitarović congratulated her Afghan hosts on the achievements in the process of political transition and the building of national economy based on the so-called Bonn Agreements. She also informed them about Croatia’s contribution to the ISAF peace-keeping mission, both in its civil and military component, and the plan to increase the Croatian contingent from 50 to 150 soldiers. Minister Grabar-Kitarović also discussed the possibility of engaging Croatian companies in Afghanistan, and other forms of economic and trade co-operation.

With Women’s Affairs Minister Jalal Minister Grabar-Kitarović talked about the difficult position of women in Afghanistan, the struggle for their human and legal rights, health care, education, employment, and inclusion into the society.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović also met with ISAF Commander gen. Mauro del Vecchio and NATO Senior Civilian Representative Hikmet Cetin.

The meeting discussed the implementation of ISAF under the NATO guidance and the UN mandate, with the participation of 36 NATO and Partnership for Peace members, including Croatia. The operation currently numbers 9500 soldiers supervising about 50% of the Afghan national territory. That number is expected to rise to 15,000 by mid-2006 due to ISAF’s extending to the south of the country and to 21,000 by end-2006, covering the entire territory of Afghanistan.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović announced the extension of the Croatian ISAF contingent from the current 50 to 150 soldiers, and Croatia’s further contribution to the political reforms and the building of Afghan institutions.

Gen. del Vecchio and NATO Representative Cetin gave the highest marks to the Croatian ISAF engagement so far, commending the announced tripling of its forces. Croatian ISAF contingent currently numbers 65 military police officers, diplomats, and medical personnel.

Minister Grabar-Kitarović also visited the members of the Croatian ISAF contingent at the Warehouse base, 10 km off Kabul’s centre, where she reviewed the guard of honour, handed out gifts to soldiers and kept them a cordial company, along with the members of the delegation.