'A new phase'

Representatives from many nations, as well as international organizations, have been gathering in the German city of Bonn for an international conference on the future of Afghanistan. Former Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta, now national security adviser, spoke to Deutsche Welle about the progress made in the country so far and his hopes for a new phase in its development.

Deutsche Welle: With the Afghanistan conference about to start, let's talk about the expectations from the Afghan side. The last Afghanistan Conference was 10 years ago. With what sort of expectations is Afghanistan approaching this conference?

Rangin Dadfar Spanta: With this conference we will bring to an end a decade of cooperation for a better Afghanistan and begin a new phase of cooperation. The foundations of this new cooperation have been laid through a transfer of responsibility for security operations and through principles of good government in Afghanistan. In other words, Afghanistan will - in effect - win back its full sovereignty and take over full responsibility for its affairs.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has said this conference is about a deal, it's about the international community not abandoning Afghanistan but continuing to support it, and that in return, Afghanistan will make greater progress at a faster pace on issues of good governance. Is that how you understand the situation?

We have worked together on the agreements. We put forward our own expectations and have spoken with our international partners, who put forward their own expectations. It is about a common journey and shared responsibilities. We are primarily accountable to the Afghan people and are responsible for pursuing good governance and an anti-corruption agenda, while at the same time ensuring the safety and welfare of the Afghan population.

What should be the contribution of the international partners, as far as you are concerned? What do you need?

In the last 10 years, we have achieved a lot. Regrettably, the mass media have talked a lot about the negative aspects - something that, from their point of view I can understand. With regard to education, health, economic development and establishing the rule of law, we have, on the one hand, consolidated our achievements. On the other hand, because Afghanistan is located in a very dangerous environment and because it, in principle, remains at the center of international terrorism, we expect there to be lasting cooperation with us in this regard.

An important partner country will not be sitting at the table at the Afghanistan conference, with Pakistan having decided earlier this week not to attend. How damaging might this refusal be as far as the results of the conference are concerned? How would you assess that?

Well, you know, this is the biggest conference in our history that is both about Afghanistan and in cooperation with Afghanistan. It's also the biggest international assembly ever in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, with 101 countries and international organizations represented. I regret that our Pakistani brothers and sisters will not be in attendance. Greater isolation is not in the interest of Pakistan, but Afghanistan is at the center of the international community. We do regret the absence of our Pakistani friends. I do not think that the absence of Pakistan will harm us but we would like to have had Pakistan with us at the table.

You lived in Germany for 23 years. In your view, what would be the specific German contribution to reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan?

Germany is the biggest contributor in terms of reconstruction and sustainable development in Afghanistan. At the same time, German troops form the third-largest military contingent. We work very closely with Germany and we are thankful for everything that Germany has done for us. We thank all the men and women who have paid with their lives for our peace and freedom. The Afghan nation is a grateful nation; Germany is a close friend of Afghanistan and we are deeply appreciative.

Interview: Ute Schaeffer, Editor-in-Chief, DW-WORLD.DE, DW-RADIO / rc
Editor: Martin Kuebler