“The challenges are vast, and they can only be resolved through broad international engagement where civil and military efforts are viewed in a political context”, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre in his address on the situation in Afghanistan and Norway’s contribution to the Storting on 24 October 2006.
26/10/2006 :: Some of the issues raised by Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre in his address to the Norwegian Parliament were:
“There is a need for a change of pace in the efforts to build sustainable peace in Afghanistan.This is the unanimous view of the international community – and of the democratic forces in Afghanistan – especially since the fighting in the south a few weeks ago. Success is contingent on international efforts that unite Afghan society. The international security and development efforts and efforts to build political institutions must constitute a coherent strategy.”
“The Government wishes to maintain Norway’s troop contribution to NATO-led ISAF in Afghanistan at its current high level and does not wish to increase it by sending special forces to the southern part of the country. We will, however, follow the situation closely”.
“The decision entails that the Norwegian military contribution to the forces in Afghanistan, which today numbers around 550 women and men, will be maintained at the current level. This means that Norway is still one of the largest contributors per capita.”
“The Norwegian Government intends to intensify its efforts to promote reconstruction and social and economic development in accordance with the Afghanistan Compact, the comprehensive plan agreed on in London in February by the Afghan authorities and the international community – with the UN, the World Bank and the EU as the key actors.”
“The Norwegian Government is planning to significantly increase Norway’s efforts in Afghanistan. Our total civil engagement is expected to amount to about NOK 0.5 billion next year. This is an increase of NOK 100 million in our humanitarian and long-term development efforts in Afghanistan. In addition, we will seek to alleviate the most acute humanitarian needs by means of allocations in this year’s budget,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Støre.
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Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs