Starting today, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet is on a visit to Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Paet stated that the purpose of the visit is to discuss future developments in Afghanistan as well as matters related to reducing the number of foreign troops. Estonia’s development co-operation projects in Afghanistan will also be discussed. The foreign minister would also like to express his support and thanks to the Estonian soldiers and police officers serving in Afghanistan.
In Kabul, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet has meetings scheduled with Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Zalmai Rassoul.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet will also visit the Estonian soldiers stationed in Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan and meet with Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the South-western Zone Major General Walter Miller.
The Estonian foreign minister will also visit the capital of Helmand Province Lashkar Gah, where he will meet with the commander of Task Force Helmand, British Brigadier Rupert Jones. Paet will also meet with the head of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Lashkar Gah, Catriona Laing.
Within the framework of his visit, the foreign minister will also be meeting with Estonian police officers participating in the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL) and NATO Training Mission Afghanistan (NTM-A).