Germany Committed to its Responsibility to Afghanistan

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas arrived in northern Mazar-e Sharif on Sunday to send a message confirming Germany’s commitment to conflict resolution and economic development.

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German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas arrived in northern Mazar-e Sharif on Sunday to send a message confirming Germany’s commitment to conflict resolution and economic development.
“With the trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan, we want to send a clear message: Germany is committed to the responsibility which we have assumed as the second largest donor and contributor of troops in Afghanistan,” said Maas., according to DW.

Germany is part of the NATO Resolute Support mission to train Afghan security forces and has a force of about 1,200 soldiers stationed in Afghanistan.
The German government had decided last month to extend the military mission and it offered to host a peace conference, to include participation by the Taliban.

According to Mr. Maas, “peace is possible in Afghanistan”.
He refers to elections as a sign of progress: “The landmark presidential elections in Afghanistan are scheduled for July, and there has been movement in the quest for a peace process with the Taliban, also thanks to the US initiative.”

It is worth mentioning that the German mission is largely dependent on US infrastructure in Afghanistan
After Afghanistan, Maas will also visit Pakistan this week.