Steinmeier lands in Afghanistan for surprise visit
DDP/The Local - [email protected]
Published: 25 Jul, 2008 CET.
Updated: Fri 25 Jul 2008 08:18 CET
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier landed in Afghanistan on Friday for a surprise four-day trip to visit troops and inspect reconstruction efforts.
The Foreign Ministry said Steinmeier had travelled to the northern city of Herat for the official handover of a water treatment facility built with German help and to take a firsthand look at other developments in the region.
Germany is supporting restoration of Herat’s historic old centre and has strong ties to the city’s university.
There are currently 3,500 German soldiers stationed in the northern part of Afghanistan as part of NATO’s ISAF mission in the country. The German government recently approved raising the military’s mandate by another 1,000 troops, but the move must still be approved by parliament.
Berlin has also committed €1.1 billion for reconstruction projects in the country through 2010.
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The Foreign Ministry said Steinmeier had travelled to the northern city of Herat for the official handover of a water treatment facility built with German help and to take a firsthand look at other developments in the region.
Germany is supporting restoration of Herat’s historic old centre and has strong ties to the city’s university.
There are currently 3,500 German soldiers stationed in the northern part of Afghanistan as part of NATO’s ISAF mission in the country. The German government recently approved raising the military’s mandate by another 1,000 troops, but the move must still be approved by parliament.
Berlin has also committed €1.1 billion for reconstruction projects in the country through 2010.
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