Afghanistan Reestablishes Diplomatic Relations
with Argentina
Embassy of Afghanistan
01/19/2005
Washington, D.C. H.E. Said Tayeb Jawad, Ambassador
of Afghanistan to the United States, met today with H.E. Daniel
Scioli, Vice President of the Argentine Republic, at the Government
House, to reestablish Afghanistan’s diplomatic relations
between the two countries. Ambassador Jawad presented his credentials
as non-resident Ambassador of Afghanistan to Argentina and conveyed
message of goodwill from President Hamid Karzai and Foreign
Minister Dr. Abdullah to the President and Foreign Minister
of Argentina. In addition, he placed a wreath at the monument
of Libertador General San Martin in Buenos Aires on Wednesday
morning.
Ambassador Jawad commented on his trip saying,
Argentina is the second largest country with vast natural resources
in South America. A major energy provider, Argentina is the
fourth largest producer of crude oil and natural gas in the
region. We look forward to investment by Argentine companies
to develop Afghanistan’s energy sector. They have previously
shown interest in building a trans-Afghan pipeline from Turkmenistan
to the Indian subcontinent.Praising the support of Argentine
government for emerging democracies and contributions to peacekeeping
operations, Ambassador Jawad said, We will welcome Argentina’s
participation in the International Security Assistance Force
and appreciate their help with the process of training counter-narcotics
police in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is emerging as a successful
model of partnership with the international community. Pursuing
a policy of engagement in international affairs, the Government
of Afghanistan has rapidly restored its relations with the international
community. Afghanistan presently maintains more than 70 diplomatic
missions abroad. Ambassador Jawad has been accredited to Mexico
and Brazil and is planning to visit Panama and Colombia.
Afghanistan’s first indirect diplomatic
relations with Argentina began in June 1960. Afghan Ambassador
to the US and former Prime Minister Hashim Maiwandwal became
Afghanistan’s first non-resident diplomat serving as Counselor
to Argentina. In June 1964, the relation was elevated to the
ambassadorial level when Afghan Ambassador to the US and Former
Finance Minister Abdul Majeed presented his credentials as non-resident
Ambassador to President of Argentina, while Argentina’s
Ambassador to Iran Freera Svahi was accredited as non-resident
Ambassador to Afghanistan. In December 1983, a high ranking
Afghan delegation attended the Argentina’s presidential
inauguration ceremony when both countries intended to enhance
bilateral relations. However, relations between the two countries
stalled given increased political instability and subsequent
breakdown of government institutions in Afghanistan in late
1980s and during 1990s. In July 2001, then Interim President
Hamid Karzai and Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah sent congratulatory
letters to the President and Foreign Minister of Argentina on
the country’s National Day.
Contact:
M. Ashraf Haidari
haidari@embassyofafghanistan.org
(202) 483-6410 EX-811
