In a meeting with his Afghan counterpart Zalmai Rassoul in Tallinn on Tuesday, Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said Estonia intends to continue to support the reconstruction of Afghanistan also after the coalition troops have left that country next year.
Paet pointed out that from the summer of 2013 onwards the Afghan security forces will be fully responsible for security operations in the country's territory. "This is a remarkable step in the security political development of Afghanistan, and our common goal is about to be fulfilled – Afghanistan will take the full initiative in the fight against terrorism," said Paet.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting with the Afghan minister, Pate recalled his recent trip to Afghanistan where he had a chance to meet all the members of the Estonian defense forces serving in that country. The Estonian units are staying in base because operations outside are carried out by the Afghan security forces.
"Estonia's support for civilian projects in Afghanistan will continue also after most of the International Security Assistance Forces have left," said Paet. Estonia will focus in Afghanistan on education, health care, and good governance.
Estonia is also ready to help Afghanistan build up its e-government. "We expect Afghanistan's e-government executives and representatives of ministries to come to Tallinn for a week-long course to better chart Afghanistan's interests and possibilities for future cooperation," Paet said.
Afghanistan's minister for information and communications technology is scheduled to visit Estonia from May 13-14. Paet added that in accordance with a wish expressed by Afghanistan, students from that country are welcome to attend a two-year MA program at the Tallinn University of Technology.
Paet described the election of summer 2014 as a litmus test of the democratic development of Afghanistan.
Rassoul thanked Estonia for its contribution of so far and voiced acknowledgement of Estonia's role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. "We are glad that Estonia's support will continue also in the future," he said.
The Afghan foreign minister said he is confident that after the pullout of allied troops in 2014 Afghanistan will be a stable and successful country. He said allies will not leave Afghanistan on its own.
The foreign ministers of Estonia and Afghanistan expressed readiness to start regular political consultations between the ministries.
Rassoul visited Estonia as part of the delegation of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who made a state visit to Estonia on Monday and Tuesday.