Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign and European Spokesperson (Paris, June 23, 2010)

Afghanistan

Q - Did Mr. Kouchner consult with his Japanese counterpart, Mr. Okada, this week in order to address new civilian projects in Afghanistan? It seems that the two ministers discussed concrete commitments and even financial commitments. Could you tell us what amounts would be pledged by the parties, or at least tell us what amount the French party would pledge?

Mr. Kouchner and Mr. Okada spoke on the telephone on June 17. As I reported in the press briefing, they notably discussed Franco-Japanese cooperation in Afghanistan in order to identify the projects through which this cooperation could be developed and in order to reaffirm a shared objective to continue working in this direction.

Discussions with our Japanese partners are continuing in order to adopt quantifiable commitments.

I want to remind you that Franco-Japanese cooperation in Afghanistan has developed on the basis of four projects carried out by non-governmental organizations:

- the project to build the Dasht-é-Barchi High School in Kabul;
- the renovation of the Nawabad Elementary School in Surobi;
- the renovation of the Pachagan clinic in Nijrab in Kapisa Province;
- upgrading of Herat Regional Hospital.

This joint commitment with our Japanese partners follows on from Bernard Kouchner’s visit to Tokyo on March 18, during which the minister discussed with his counterpart a diversification of the areas of Franco-Japanese cooperation in Afghanistan, particularly in terms of culture and infrastructure. Japanese aid in Afghanistan is focused on areas (in particular Jalalabad and Kabul) that are close to the zones that come under French responsibility (Kapisa Province and the Surobi district).

This proximity opens up possibilities for further cooperation between our two countries on the ground.