MFA: Finland continues comprehensive support of Afghanistan

MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
http://formin.finland.fi/english

Press release 182/2016
5 October 2016

Finland continues comprehensive support of Afghanistan

In the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan on 5 October 2016, co-hosted by the EU and Afghanistan, the international community undertook to aid Afghanistan's development in 2017–2020. Finland's pledge in the four years will be approximately EUR 110 million. The majority of the support will be channelled via the World Bank and UN agencies to three central sectors: law and security, development of basic services, and development of the economic infrastructure.

Having received the pledges, Afghanistan is expected to use the support appropriately and to the benefit of those in the most vulnerable position in society.

It is important for the international community that Afghanistan becomes a democratic, stable and safe country. Its stabilisation is one of the most significant joint operations. Results have been achieved in, for example, the development of education, health care and anti-corruption work. Women's position has also improved, and maternal and child mortality have diminished. After 2001, the Afghans' life expectancy has risen by nearly 20 years.

The stabilisation of Afghanistan is one of the priorities in Finland's foreign and security policy and development policy, and Finland is committed to long-term support for the country. The objective is that Afghanistan's positive progress will continue  and the country will not sink into chaos again. Finland's development cooperation funding to Afghanistan since 2002 amounts to about EUR 275 million. The military crisis management funding totals approximately EUR 300 million.

Inquiries: Johanna Jokinen-Gavidia, Desk Officer, Unit for South Asia, tel. +35850 599 3641 and Niko Heimola, Desk Officer, Unit for South Asia, tel. +358295 350 564.

The Foreign Ministry's email addresses are of the format firstname.lastname@formin.fi.