Acting Foreign Minister and Foreign Minister-designate officially introduced

October 29, 2013

KABUL – The Acting Foreign Minister and Foreign Minister-designate of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Engineer Zarar Ahmad Muqbel Osmani, was officially introduced to the staff of the Foreign Ministry this morning.

On this occasion, a ceremony was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attended by the senior management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Economy Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal, Deputy Foreign Minister for Administrative Affairs Abdul Hai Haider, Deputy Head of the National Directorate of Security General Hessamudin Marzi as well as other governmental authorities.

The Deputy of the Office of Administrative Affairs and Council of Ministers, Sayed Wali Sultan, read the Presidential Order of H.E. President Karzai on designation of Mr. Osmani as Acting Foreign Minister and Foreign Minister-designate. A part of the presidential order reads, “In accordance with Article 64 (11) of the Afghan Constitution, and in order to carry out the affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the appointmtn of Mr. Zarar Ahmad Muqbel Osmani has been approved as the Acting Foreign Minister and Foreign Minister-designate. This shall remain effective until the accomplishment of the due proceedings, receipt of the vote of confidence from the Parliament and oath taking ceremony of the appointed Minister.”

During this introductory ceremony of the Acting Foreign Minister to the staff of this ministry, Mr. Arghandiwal referred to the remarkable achievements of Mr. Osmani over the past years as an Afghan Diplomat, Governor of Pawan province, Minister of Interior Affairs and Minister of Counter Narcotics. Mr. Arghandiwal expressed his confidence about the fact that the valuable experiences of the Acting Foreign Minister, and his commitment to country, nation and religion will contribute to effective advancement of Afghanistan’s foreign policy at this crucial and vital stage in the country.

During his speech, Engineer Osmani addressed the leadership and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and expressed his appreciation for the trust H.E the President and his two Vice Presidents put in him.

He also touched on the achievements of the country’s foreign policy over the last decade during the tenures of former foreign ministers of Afghanistan. He said, “I would like to thank the foreign ministers of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan who have established very good relations with other countries of the world. I would like to name Dr. Zalmai Rassoul, Dr. Spanta and Dr. Abdullah who were able to establish good relations and enabled Afghanistan to have an excellent standing in the international community.”

Engineer Osmani emphasized that, in addition to other priorities, during his tenure at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he will focus on strengthening regional cooperation, improving and developing relations and cooperation with the neighbouring countries, the Islamic World, Arab countries and Afghanistan’s international allies.

In addition, Mr. Osmani said that strengthening the capacity and facilitation of improved working relationships between all staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and between the Foreign Ministry in Kabul and Afghanistan’s political and consular missions abroad will be at the top of his working agenda.

At the end of the ceremony and on behalf of the Ministry staff, the Deputy Foreign Minister welcomed the Acting Foreign Minister and assured him of the commitment and cooperation of all the personnel inside and outside the country.