Statement by Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Opening of the National Assembly and the Completion of the Political Process in Afghanistan

December 19, 2005
Japanese

1. Japan welcomes the opening of the National Assembly in Afghanistan on December 19 (Mon). Japan, while welcoming the completion of the transitional period for building national governance structure - the political process - of Afghanistan, extends its heartfelt congratulations to the people of Afghanistan.
2. Since September 2001, Japan has extended assistance amounting as much as one billion US dollars in all fields - political process, security improvement and reconstruction, based upon its firm belief that Afghanistan must not relapse into a hotbed of terrorism and narcotics.
3. Japan will continue to extend its active assistance for further developing the nation-building of Afghanistan.

Related Information (Japan-Afghanistan Relations)