UK seeks to shift cooperation with Afghanistan towards economic ties — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): The UK’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Richard Lindsay, says Britain plans to gradually shift its engagement with Afghanistan from humanitarian assistance towards economic cooperation. Lindsay made the remarks during an online meeting with Minister of Commerce and Industry Nooruddin Azizi on Monday evening, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) said in a statement. The two sides discussed the development of economic relations and engagement with the international community, according to the statement. Azizi briefed Lindsay on the government’s achievements over the past five years, including increased exports and per-capita revenue, efforts to combat the cultivation and trafficking of narcotics, treatment of drug addicts, support for people with disabilities, and measures to address the situation of beggars. He stressed the importance of continuing constructive engagement with the international community based on mutual respect. Lindsay welcomed Afghanistan’s position on constructive engagement with the international community and provided information about Britain’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. He said the UK planned to gradually shift its cooperation with Afghanistan from humanitarian assistance towards economic cooperation. He also reaffirmed Britain’s support for strengthening relations with Afghanistan, saying that under its programmes to develop relations with developing countries, the UK was creating opportunities to expand trade with these countries, including through trade facilitation and tariff reductions. The two sides stressed the importance of continuing…