Azernews.Az

Tuesday March 19 2024

National Day of Afghanistan celebrated in Baku

19 September 2017 12:27 (UTC+04:00)
National Day of Afghanistan celebrated in Baku

By Amina Nazarli

The 98th National Day of Afghanistan was celebrated in Baku with an official reception organized by the country`s Embassy on September 18.

The grand reception brought together the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Azerbaijan, representatives of the government and public figures of Azerbaijan.

Afghan Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohammad Taqi Khalili, welcoming the guests, spoke about the history of the day and bilateral relations with Azerbaijan.

“Day by day we strengthen Afghan-Azerbaijani relations and each year we take bigger strides. The patient path we forge ensures a more vibrant and solid future for our countries and our people,” he said.

The two countries are indubitably fortified by years of cooperation, as well as a brilliant brotherhood between great nations, the diplomat said, adding that a friendship built with a foundation of mutual respect and understanding.

“Azerbaijan has been faithful to the mission of NATO in Afghanistan, and a loyal partner of my country that has, in a spirit of true friendship, opened its arm to give of every resource it could provide: security and military assistance, training and financial support, donations to the Afghanistan National Army Trust Fund to bolster our troops, and political counsel to reform and help reintegrate our nation into both the regional and global economies,” he said.

The ambassador emphasized that the pivotal role of Azerbaijan in Heart of Asia (Istanbul Process) in particular, hosting its ministerial conference in December 2017, reiterates Azerbaijan’s enduring commitment to Afghanistan.

“The commonalities of our values do not end in our strive for betterment; it is too prevalent in our shared stance against terrorism. A global threat and obstacle we aspire to overcome. And one we stand united against,” he said.

Khalili went on stressing that Afghanistan has strongly condemned Armenia’s occupation, adding that the country takes pride in supporting Azerbaijan on this issue.

“The Azerbaijani people have and continue to aid the Afghan people in the journey to a stronger, more sustainable future on the horizon,” he said.

In turn, Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations Mubariz Gurbanli congratulated the Ambassador and the entire Afghan people on the national holiday on behalf of the Azerbaijani government, wished prosperity and development to this country.

He noted that Afghanistan occupies a special place in the history of the world due to its rich culture.

The chairman of the State Committee recalled that Afghanistan was one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan's independence.

"From the very first days of establishing diplomatic relations, the leaders of Azerbaijan and Afghanistan meet regularly on various platforms. It is no coincidence that after the election of the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai made his first visit to Azerbaijan," he said.

Afghanistan recognized the independence of Azerbaijan in 1991 and the diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1994.

Azerbaijan supports the Afghan way of reforms by its assistance in the areas of education, infrastructure and transport development, investments and enhancing the role of women in the society.

The country has several times made substantial donations to the Afghan National Army (ANA) Trust Fund.

The peacekeeping contingent of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces has been serving in Afghanistan since November 20, 2002. Azerbaijan, as a reliable partner of NATO and friend of brotherly Afghanistan, is committed to continue its significant contribution to the Resolute Support Mission by providing troops, multi-modal transit, training and financial assistance.

Furthermore, Azerbaijan allowed the NATO planes carrying non-combat loads for a mission in Afghanistan to fly through Azerbaijan's airspace and to use the country's airports. About 40 percent of all cargo destined for the NATO mission in Afghanistan pass through Baku.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

Loading...
Latest See more