Statement by H.E. Mr. Edgars Rinkēvičs, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia at the International Conference on Afghanistan, Bonn

Excellencies,

ladies and gentleman!

We have arrived in Bonn with a common goal of reaffirming our long term commitment to the future of Afghanistan and to peaceful development of the region as a whole. This goal has asked for outstanding efforts of the Afghani people and the international community. It has taken great sacrifice from all nations involved, including loss of life. This means that there is only one way forward – and that is to ensure that the positive change that has taken place in Afghanistan is irreversible.

Latvia highly welcomes the recent announcement of President Hamid Karzai to commence the second stage in the transition of provinces and districts to the responsibility of Afghani forces. The fact that the transition will now cover over half of the population of Afghanistan is impressive and testifies of the progress that has been made over the past years.

Latvia is committed to fulfilling our duty as an active and responsible participant of the ISAF effort in Faryab province. We are prepared to remain in the country as long as the situation requires it and the Government of Afghanistan sees it fit. Moreover, we are ready to continue our involvement in Afghanistan beyond the transition in other acceptable forms based on NATO Enduring Partnership with Afghanistan.

As a member of the European Union we have fully supported granting of mandate for opening of negotiations between the EU and Afghanistan on Cooperation and Development Agreement that would put the relations between the EU and Afghanistan on a substantially new level. We also share the EU commitment in the form of EUPOL and its contribution to civilian policing.

Today everybody realizes that a military component and enhancing of the overall security of the country should go hand in hand with advancing social and economic change and democratic governance. In this regard I would particularly like to stress the importance of regional cooperation. The prospect for a stable and peaceful Afghanistan is to be sought in close ties between all of its direct and more distant neighbors. Global and regional organizations, international donors can all play a vital part in it.

Bearing this in mind, I would like to stress that Latvia finds the Silk Road initiative especially promising. It does not call for creation of unnecessary structures, but rather stands as a concept for generating growth, peace and prosperity through increased regional cooperation and interdependence. It cannot be overemphasized that it should go hand in hand with enhanced security. We should stand for a vision and patterns of cooperation generating growth, peace and prosperity through increased regional interdependence. A vision which:

• Involves all countries;
• Strengthens regional cooperation;
• Promotes long-term prosperity in the region;
• Develops conditions for reestablishing Afghanistan’s traditional role as a hub of transport and trade.

  Since 2009 Latvia has accumulated significant experience, providing the entry point of the Northern Distribution Network and supporting efforts for alternative supply routes and the establishment of the successful transit to Afghanistan. The Government of Latvia invites all key partners cooperating in the NDN project to transform this cooperation in a way that will influence positively economic development of Afghanistan and its neighbors for many years after 2014.

  In this regard Latvia proposes convening a working level meeting in Riga next April and would like to invite everyone interested to participate.

  I wish everyone productive work at this conference and I am convinced in the success of our common endeavors.