At the outset of his three-day visit to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Minister Sikorski had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, Rangin Dadfar Spanta.

        After a plenary session of the delegations led by both ministers, the discussion continued during a working lunch organised by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, R. D. Spanta, to celebrate Minister Sikorski’s visit.

        Minister Sikorski began by expressing his thanks to his hosts for their invitation and for arranging his visit, which was rendered difficult by tough security conditions. He recalled the time when both countries were struggling concurrently for independence and remarked upon the fact that the mujahedeens’ fight against substantial enemy forces contributed significantly to the success of Poland’s peaceful revolution in the late 1980s.

        Minister Sikorski emphasised that it is in the interest of the international community for Afghanistan to become a safe country with a stable democracy and a developing economy. He confirmed Poland’s readiness for long-term involvement stabilisation and rebuilding process in Afghanistanand presented plans for increased participation in the ISAF stabilisation mission, as well as for the concentration of Polish troops in Ghazni. The minister went on to confirm the desire for Poland to be incorporated into the Policy Action Group, giving his assurance that, apart from the military support, Polandwishes to contribute to the rebuilding and development of Afghanistan’s economy. In this regard, the Polish minister presented a declaration of support, which Poland intends to announce during the upcoming Paris Conference on June 12, 2008. In terms of bilateral support, Minister Sikorski presented a proposition for strengthening commercial relations, particularly in the agricultural, powerand water management sectors, as well as in the area of the protection of culture and national heritage sites.  He declared support for arranging training and study visits for agricultural experts, junior civil servants, including diplomats and journalists and made reminder of the interest shown by Polish companies regarding participation in undertakings related to water management and the conservation of historical sites.

        Minister Sikorski put forward an offer to raise the issue of reinforcing the EUOPL mission, aimed at the training of Afghan police officers by military police representatives, before the forum of the European Union . The two ministers discussed the issue of the new approach towards counteracting drug manufacturing, including the introduction of a tax on growing opium poppy, in order to ensure at least a certain level of governmental control, as well as developing a system of readily available credit for farmers, which would enable them to upgrade and modernise their means of production, and create alternatives to poppy cultivation.

        It was agreed that it is vital to the future development of business cooperation that Polish companies be present on Afghanistan’s market in order to pave the way for other entities unwilling to invest in new regions. What is more, it was agreed that detailed projects would be discussed with representatives of the relevant ministries.

        Minister Spanta expressed his thanks for Poland’s significant involvement in the stabilisation mission in Afghanistan and in ensuring the country’s security He presented exhaustive information regarding the current situation, particularly with reference to security, which remains the most serious issue in Afghanistan.  He pointed to the operations of terrorist organisations supported from abroad and appealed for a more extensive approach towards the issue of terrorism on the part of the international community, not only in the context of Afghanistan but also in the that of the entire region.  He emphasised that opening western markets to food products made in Afghanistan, together with the appropriate marketing in this respect, would be an important factor in terms of counteracting drug manufacturing. He presented the prospect of constructing solid and durable institutional foundations for the country, with coordinated support from other states, international organisation and NGOs.

        The discussion was followed by a press conference, attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, R. Sikorski, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, R. D. Spanta.

The second item on the agenda of the visit was a meeting between Minister Sikorski and the 1st Vice-President of Afghanistan, Mr A. Z. Massoud.

        Emphasising that it had been a mistake to leave Afghanistan by itself in the 1990s, Minister Sikorski declared Poland’s a willingness to be involved, on a long-term basis, in ensuring the security and development of Afghanistan. He recalled Poland’s contribution to Afghanistan’s struggle for independence. “As we believe that the key to achieving a permanent stabilisation is the parallel development of democratic state organisations and the country’s economy, we declare our will to continue long-term aid programs aimed at strengthening the institutional and economic foundations of Afghanistan”, said Minister Sikorski.

        Minister Sikorski confirmed an invitation for the Vice-President A. Z. Massoud to visit Poland. He expressed his conviction that the Polish experience of reconstructing the country, taking advantage of aid programs, economic restructuring, with a shift from a centrally controlled economy towards a free market model and developing domestic enterprises, may prove extremely valuable for Afghanistan, being similar in terms of comparable development periods. With reference to the sharing of experience, Minister Sikorski presented a proposal for the participation of Afghani civil servants, diplomats and journalists in specialised training sessions, to be conducted in Poland in the form of simulation games.  He presentedan offer made by Polish companies, particularly from the water management sector, the power industry and the field of the conservation of historical sites, requesting the Vice-President to familiarise himself with it and emphasising that creating favourable conditions for these companies would pave the way for a wider commercial presence of Polish enterprises on the Afghan market.

        Vice-President A. Z. Massoud thanked Poland for its involvement in the stabilisation operations, its presence in the difficult times during the struggle for independence and for Minister Sikorski’s personal visit. He emphasised his familiarity with the Polish companies’ offer, which, in a number of cases, is attractive in comparison to those made by other entities. He expressed his interest in the offer of training and said that the most desirable support would be programs aimed at reinforcing free market mechanisms, the success of which may contribute to changing the attitude of citizens accustomed to the values of the previous system values. He expressed his hope that both the training and aid programs which have already been initiated, as well as the pioneering presence of Polish companies, would create good prospects for future commercial cooperation.

The meeting with Vice–President A. Z. Massoud was followed by a visit to the ‘British Cemetery’, where Minister Sikorski unveiled a plaque commemorating the death of Andy Skrzypkowiak and other Poles killed in Afghanistan during the struggle against the Soviet intervention.

In the afternoon, Minister Sikorski a meeting with the President of Afghanistan, Mr H. Karzaj.

        Minister Sikorski provided the President with current information regarding Poland’s ongoing involvement in the ISAF mission and the action plan for the upcoming months. The Polish minister ensured President H. Karzaj that Poland would continue its involvement in terms of its military presence, as well as civilian aid programs. He informed the President of the intention of declaring significant support at the upcoming Paris Conference, of Poland’s willingness to join the Policy Action Group of the offer of training, to be held, free of charge, in Poland, for Afghani civil servants, diplomats and journalists. As someone who, due to his wide knowledge of the country, is often asked by both representatives of EU states and by partners about the situation in Afghanistan, Minister Sikorski asked the President to indicate the most important issues which, in his opinion, should be conveyed to decision-makers. He also asked about the living conditions and treatment of people detained in the Pol-e-Charki prison in Kabul.

        President H. Karzaj asked about Poland’s experience of participating in the ISAF mission and the problems related to the relocation of Polish troops from Paktika to Ghazni. His other questions covered such matters as Minister Sikorski’s personal travel experiences during the occupation of Afghanistan the underground Solidarity movement and the initial years after the breakthrough of 1989. In response to Minister Sikorski’s questions, the President presented the most important issues related to the security and reconstruction of the country, emphasising the issue of streamlining the efficiency of the aid programs by eliminating what are often redundant management structures. With reference to the Pol-e-Charki prison, the President gave his assurance that the current government, fully respecting fundamental human rights, pays special attention to the living conditions there. He also expressed his support for Poland’s joining the Policy Action Group.

        In the evening, Minister Sikorski hosted a dinner party for the ambassadors from the USA, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Great Britain Charge d'Affaires.

Minister Sikorski started the second day of his visit at the Border Coordination Centre located in the Khyber Pass.

        Located close to the busiest border crossing with Pakistan, the Centre, which comprises accommodation and conference facilities, was built for the purpose of integrating Pakistani and Afghan border patrols and ISAF mission troops. During his visit, which included a meeting with the personnel and a presentation, Minister Sikorski was informed as to the objectives and principles of the BCC’s operations. 

        Minister Sikorski was amongst the spectators of a shooting demonstration given by Afghan troops on the training ground.

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, R. Sikorski, met the personnel of Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).

        Minister Sikorski was provided with information on the establishment and running costs of the PRT, as well as on its functioning. A number of infrastructure construction and reconstruction aid projects, which form the basis of the PRT’s operations, were also presented.

After the meeting, the Minister visited A. S. Massoud’s Mausoleum in the Panjshir Valley, where, accompanied by the Manager of the Massoud Foundation, Mr A. Abdullah, formerly Minister of Foreign Affairs for Afghanistan, he laid a wreath and entered his name in the visitor's book.

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        After the visit to the mausoleum, Minister Sikorski participated in a lunch hosted by the Manager of the Massoud Foundation, Mr A. Abdullah, formerly Minister of Foreign Affairs for Afghanistan.

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After lunch, Minister Sikorski went to Bagram, where he paid a visit to Regional Command –East, ISAF/Combined Joint Task Force (CJTE-101).

        Minister Sikorski met General Jeffrey J. Schloesser, the commander of ISAF operations for Regional Command – East and U.S. forces conducting operations beyond the ISAF mandate (CJTE-101).

        General J. Schloesser emphasised that the soldiers under his command operate in close conjunction with the Polish military contingent, which, in numerical terms is the second largest in the eastern region), and that this is making a significant contribution to the ISAF mission’s military potential.

        General J. Schloesser provided information about the progress being made in training the Afghan army, which currently consists of approximately 60,000 soldiers and, by the end of the year, should number 70,000. General Schloesser emphasised that taking into account the rapid progress, it could be said that, at the moment, time is acting to the terrorists’ disadvantage. The General gave a detailed presentation of the situation in the Pakistan border zone, the main mission objectives, and action plans, including civilian aid and development programs, for the next few months.

        General J. Schloesser asked Minister Sikorski for a detailed presentation of a proposal submitted for developing Afghan military police units by means of support in the form of training in Poland. At the end of the briefing, Minister Sikorski visited the Regional Command – East.

Minister Sikorski then met the personnel of the Provincial Reconstruction Team - PRT.

        Minister Sikorski was provided with information on the  establishment and running costs of the PRT, as well as on its functioning. A number of innovative solutions were also presented, involving the use of soldiers who are farmers in their civilian life, as advisors and experts.

This was followed by Minister Sikorski’s visit to the Polish Military Contingent command.

        During the meeting, General J. Buszka, commander of the Polish Military Contingent’spresented the situation in the zones controlled by the Polish Military Contingent. He provided information on the challenges to be met by the Polish Military Contingent in relation to taking over control of the Ghazni province. With reference to the assignments in this regard, the characteristics of the province, located on an important transportation route, were presented.

        Information concerning CIMIC projects and their progress was also presented, particularly in relation to projects funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

        Lieutenant Agnieszka Dolatowska, who is widely experienced in CIMIC project implementation, gave a presentation covering the regulatory, procedural and logistics problems related to project implementation, as well as operations suggested by the Development Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She also put forward proposals for solving the problems bymeans of introducing amendments to legislation, the relocation of funds and a reduction to bureaucratic document circulation. It was decided that consultations would be held between the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Polish Military Contingent and the Ministry of Finance, in order to find solutions making it possible to subsidise the CIMIC projects implemented by the Polish Military Contingent..

        R. Sikorski then met the soldiers of the Polish Military Contingent, sharing his experiences from the times of the Afghans’ fight against Soviet occupation. He also explained the significance of the Polish troops’ presence within the wider context of the Polish foreign policy.

        At the end of the meeting, Minister Sikorski answered questions from the soldiers.

After returning to Kabul, in the evening, Minister Sikorski attended a dinner arranged by Mr I. Khan, Minister of Water Resources and Energy for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, to celebrate the Minister’s visit.

On the morning of the third day of the visit, Minister Sikorski met General D. McKiernan, the ISAF mission commander.

        After the meeting, Minister Sikorski travelled to Kandahar, where he met representatives of the Canadian PRT. During a comprehensive presentation, the Team’s operating principles and practices were presented.

        After the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs met journalists during a press conference.

As the last item on the agenda of his visit to Afghanistan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Military Unit 2305. He participated in a patrol of the area around the base.

        On the way back to Poland, a group of children from Afghanistan was taken on board the flight. The children were on their way to Poland for a holiday organised by the Foundation for People with Disabilities in Stróże.

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