Celebrating the 98th Anniversary of the Independence Day of Afghanistan in Warsaw
On Thursday, 14 September 2017, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Republic of Poland in Warsaw held a reception to celebrate the 98th anniversary of regaining independence of Afghanistan in 1919.
At this celebration reception, attended by Their Excellencies Ministers, Ambassadors, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, professors from the University of Warsaw and the Asia and Pacific Museum, as well as Afghan students in Warsaw and friends, H.E. Gul Hussain Ahmadi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Republic of Poland, presented a speech on this auspicious occasion.
Speech of H.E. Mr. Gul Hussain Ahmadi, Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Republic of Poland:
Your Excellencies, Ministers, officials from the Government of the Republic Poland, Ambassadors, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen!
Dobry wieczór and Good evening!
First of all, I would like to welcome you all and convey my sincere thanks for you being here this evening.
We are very happy to celebrate the 98th Anniversary of Independence Day of Afghanistan in this beautiful city, Warsaw.
Our people in Afghanistan celebrate the 19th of August to commemorate the sacrifices and the courage of those Afghans whose efforts made it possible to Afghanistan to regain its Independence on the year 1919.
Afghanistan with its rich history has a strategic location in Asia. Centuries ago Afghanistan was at the crossroad of ancient Silk Road and different cultures in the region. But in the last four decades, because of the same strategic and important location, the people of Afghanistan suffered a lot.
Fortunately in the last fifteen years, Afghanistan had great achievements in political, economic, cultural and social areas. If I may mention just a few of them:
As far as cultural and educational achievements are concerned, in 2002 there were about 1 million students at schools in Afghanistan, while now we have more than nine million students’ girls and boys. We had 19 Government Universities in the 2002 but now further 29 Currently, there are about 100 private universities and higher educational institutions in Afghanistan.
Now Afghanistan has free and independent media. Further to the government TV channels and radio stations, there are more than 70 private TV channels and over 150 radio stations in the country.
Further to the implementation of thousands of construction and reconstruction projects, we are starting the regional economic projects such as CASA-1000, TAPI, many projects for connecting Afghanistan with neighboring countries. Now we are working on “Lapis Lazuli Economic Corridor” which will connect Afghanistan with European countries by road, railways and sea via Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey.
The Security Transition from International Forces to Afghan Security Forces has been completed at the end of the year 2014. From January 2015, the NATO troops, including the troops from Poland have been cooperating with Afghanistan in the framework of “Resolute Support Mission” for trainings and logistics of Afghan Security Forces.
Not only do the Afghan Security Forces maintain the security of all 34 provinces in Afghanistan, but at same time, they are combating every day against the Taliban and other terrorist groups to defend our country and maintain all the achievements we have already made.
We believe that terrorism is a challenge and a threat not only to my homeland Afghanistan but also to the region and to the whole world.
Polish-Afghan Relations
Afghanistan and Poland are having historical and friendly relations. This year also marks the anniversary of the ninety years of the diplomatic relations between our two countries. In the last few years, we had many high level delegations between our two countries, but the last year Visit to Warsaw of H.E. Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani President and H.E. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the meeting with H.E. Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland, during the NATO summit was a success for the strengthening of bilateral relations between two countries.
We are grateful for all assistance and support we received since 2002 in the reconstructions projects, as well as in our way to stability and peace, from the People and the Government of Republic of Poland
I should also mention that the presence of Polish Forces in Afghanistan was very valuable and effective for maintaining peace and security alongside of other International and Afghan Security Forces.
I take this opportunity to convey my heartfelt thanks and appreciations for the courage, dedication and sacrifices of all Polish, International and Afghan Security Forces.
Hope for more cooperation
I have begun my mission recently in this historical country. Just yesterday, I had the honor to present my letters of credence to H.E. President of the Republic of Poland.
I hope that during my mission to Poland, we can enhance not only the political and security relations between our countries, but also in the fields of Economic, Cultural and other areas of bilateral relations.
I wish all the best and more prosperity for Afghanistan and Poland and all of our distinguished guests.Thank you for your attention.