Monday, May 26, 2008

Foreign Ministers of Ukraine, Afghanistan discuss bilateral relations

Talks between delegations led by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Volodymyr Ohryzko and Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Rangin Dadfar Spanta took place at the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Ukraine within the framework of the Afghan minister's official visit to Ukraine.

In the course of the talks, the parties examined the current situation in relations between Ukraine and Afghanistan, and perspectives for the development of bilateral cooperation, the MFA told.

The parties spoke out for further intensification of political dialogue, and pointed out the importance of the official visit to Ukraine by Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai in 2008.

They also touched on practical aspects of Ukraine's participation in restoration of Afghan economy, including reconstruction and construction of bridges, roads, irrigation and water supply systems, hydroelectric power plants, and geological prospecting efforts.

Special attention was paid to extension of cooperation in humanitarian and educational areas.

Following the talks, Ohryzko and Spanta signed a memorandum of mutual understanding and cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy to the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Ukraine and the Diplomacy Institute to the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Afghanistan.