The British Foreign Office Minister Dr Kim Howells has termed regional co-operation as essential to Afghanistan's future stability and prosperity, and that of the neighbouring countries. "The rise in trade between Afghanistan and neighbours since the fall of the Taliban is testament to that," he said in his opening remarks to the Wilton Park conference on 'Afghanistan Compact-One Year on' on Tuesday evening.
Speaking about Afghanistan and Pakistan relationship, he opined these have not always the easiest. There is strong need between the two countries to have cross border co-operation and tackling the insurgency has been particularly difficult to manage. But this would be the case in many parts of the world, where two countries with so much in common have such difficult issues to tackle. So we need to think strategically about the Afghanistan-Pakistan relationship.
Dr Howells said that Afghanistan and Pakistan share a rich history and the links between the two countries transcend national barriers. Trade and commerce between the two countries continues to grow at a significant rate. The key is to build on all this, and use it as a force for good.
He also highlighted drugs trade in Afghanistan, which he said remains such a major obstacle to progress. Drug addiction within Afghanistan is rising. Drug related crime and co]rruption are rife and permeate all levels of society. And if not dealt with, the trade will continue to be exploited by the Taliban, he added.
The British Minister observed that security challenges, insurgent activity and the lack of extension of the rule of law continue to present obstacles toward poppy elimination.
But he also noted some encouraging signs and said with the support of the international community the Afghan government has so far financed over 17,000 community projects, which have reached some 8.5 million rural Afghans. "We are working to build up the criminal justice system and establish and support the Counter Narcotics Police Force and the Afghan Special Narcotics Force.