The international community withdrew almost all foreign troops from Afghanistan at the end of 2014. A small NATO mission remains there for training purposes. Afghanistan also entered a new phase domestically when Muhammad Ashraf Ghani became the President in September 2014. Ghani has promised to make economic development and education top priorities on his policy agenda.
International cooperation and civil development efforts are also taking this into account. Germany will continue to provide up to 430 million euros for developmental cooperation through at least 2016, dedicating itself in particular to supporting education and economic development. GIZ is implementing a programme to promote vocational education on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The programme will afford many young Afghans better opportunities to enter into employment.
Rbb Inforadio’s Gabriele Heuser will be discussing German-Afghan cooperation with Peter Palesch, GIZ Country Director in Afghanistan.
The interview will be recorded and broadcast in excerpts by Radio Berlin–Brandenburg (rbb) Inforadio as part of its ‘World View’ series on Sunday 19 April 2014 at 8:22 am, (with repeats at 1:22 pm, and 10:22 pm).