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Koenders: Afghans can count on our support, though we will remain critical

‘The Afghans can count on our support, though we will remain critical. With our international partners, we will continue to support Afghan security troops and contribute to the socioeconomic development of the country.’ Foreign minister Bert Koenders made these comments today at the international Afghanistan conference in London.

Mr Koenders stressed that the Afghans themselves were responsible for their future: ‘As time goes on, Dutch support will become increasingly dependent on whether the Afghan government implements necessary and lasting reforms, especially with regard to gender equality. In the past few years women have played a significant role in rebuilding Afghanistan, but there is still much to be done in the area of women’s rights. Women must continue to be allowed to do their part in ensuring the long-term development and stability of the country.’

This role must be bolstered by appropriate legislation, in the view of the minister, who praised Afghanistan for its efforts to draw up a national plan of action on UN Security Resolution 1325. This resolution stipulates that countries must do more to protect the rights of women and girls in armed conflicts and also calls on governments to give women a key role in preventing and resolving conflicts.

The London Conference on Afghanistan follows on from earlier meetings on international support for Afghanistan, including the Tokyo Conference on Reconstruction (2012). At the London conference the new Afghan government set out its reform plans, and the international community reaffirmed its enduring solidarity with the country.