Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Kabul (BNA) Foreign Minister Dr. Zalmai Rassoul and his Peruvian counterpart, Rafael Roncagliolo, yesterday agreed to establish direct diplomatic relations at the non-resident ambassador level for the first time.
The agreement came at a bilateral meeting between Dr. Rassoul and with Mr. Roncagliolo in Lima during the first visit by an Afghan foreign minister to Peru.
“Afghanistan and Peru share a lot in common,” said Dr. Rassoul, “From the common challenge of fighting drugs to the opportunities of sharing experiences and knowledge in areas of economic and political cooperation.”
For example, Dr. Rassoul said Afghanistan could learn from Peru’s long experience in extracting its natural resources to the benefit of the Peruvian people.
Addressing Mr. Roncagliolo, Dr. Rassoul said “your invitation for me to visit Peru for the first time has helped us lay down the foundation of our bilateral relationship.”
The two foreign ministers agreed to formally sign and exchange the necessary documents on the establishment of direct diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Peru in the next few months.
The two countries discussed the possibility of establishing a diplomatic relationship in 1973 for the first time, a step that was derailed by subsequent events in both countries.
Dr. Rassoul will speak at an international counternarcotics conference hosted by the Peruvian government in Lima.