2017.30.10 Reception on the Occasion of the 98th Independence Day of Afghanistan

Reception on the Occasion of the 98th Independence Day of Afghanistan

October 30, 2017: His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Bashir Mohabbat had the honor and pleasure of hosting the Reception on the Occasion of the 98th National Day of Afghanistan at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Tokyo, Japan.

Approximately 300 guests were received by the embassy to celebrate this auspicious event. Following the arrival of guests, Mr. Asif Agah, Second Secretary, began the night with a Welcome Address and the playing of the national anthems of Afghanistan and Japan. H.E. Dr. Mohabbat then gave Opening Remarks of his own in which he extended a most warm welcome to those in attendance and praised the longstanding relationship between Afghanistan and Japan, as well as other allied nations with missions in Japan. Furthermore, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat took the opportunity to update guests on the progress Afghanistan has made since the formation of the National Unity Government and expressed his sincere gratitude, on behalf of the people and Government of Afghanistan, to all the international participants who have aided in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and given her people fuller, richer, happier, and healthier lives.

Remarks were also given by longtime friend of Afghanistan and the embassy, His Excellency Mr. Natsuo Yamaguchi, Chief Representative of the Komei Party who praised the treasured and long lasting relations between Afghanistan and Japan, reavowed Japan's commitment to stand with Afghanistan through its further development, and his sincerest hopes for increased relations. His Excellency Ambassador Mr. Hiroshi Oka, Assistant Minister & Director General of the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau of MOFA Japan, also gave remarks speaking of the highly valued relations between Afghanistan and Japan and his endeavors to see the relationship grow and strengthen, lending support and aid in development to the Afghan people well into the future.

After the closing of the opening ceremony, traditional Afghan food and soft beverages were served. Among the 300 guest were several of Their Excellencies the Ambassadors, Diplomats with missions in Japan, high ranking members of Japanese Government, business representatives, community leaders, representatives from NGOs and the private sector, Afghan nationals living in Japan, as well as Afghan students completing their studies in Japan. H.E. Dr. Mohabbat as well as the Embassy's own Diplomats and Staff had the pleasure of meeting and talking with their honored guests, and thanking them all for their attendance.

To see the complete Photo Album from the night, click the link.

To read all of H.E. Dr. Mohabbat’s speech from the night, click the link.

2017.25.10 Luncheon with Chief of Protocol and Assistant Minister and Director-General of Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau of MOFA-Japan

Luncheon with Chief of Protocol and Assistant Minister and Director-General of Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau of MOFA-Japan

October 25, 2017: His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Bashir Mohabbat had the honor and pleasure of hosting a luncheon with His Excellency Ambassador Mr. Akira Sugiyama, Chief of Protocol, and His Excellency Ambassador Mr. Hiroshi Oka, Assistant Minister and Director-General of Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, at the Residence. Mr. Ahmad Bashir Ghafoori, First Secretary and Consul, Mr. Basir Ahmad Hamdard, First Secretary and Political Affairs, Mr. Asif Agah, Second Secretary and Cultural Affairs, and Mr. Abdulzaman Akbari, Third Secretary and Human Resource Development, also attended.

H.E. Ambassador Mr. Sugiyama and H.E. Ambassador Mr. Oka thanked H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohabbat for his hospitality in hosting the luncheon. In response, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat thanked H.E. Mr. Sugiyama and H.E. Mr. Oka for coming, and, on behalf of the people and Government of Afghanistan, expressed his most sincere gratitude for the unwavering support of the Japanese people and Government to the developing nation of Afghanistan. Furthermore, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat updated Their Excellencies Mr. Sugiyama and Mr. Oka on the progress and numerous achievements of Afghanistan in recent years, especially since the formation of the National Unity Government. Their Excellencies Mr. Sugiyama and Mr. Oka then expressed their desire for the relationship between Afghanistan and Japan to continue to grow and strengthen. Following this, those present discussed topics of mutual interests, such as the recent speeches by leaders of allied nations planning for active steps to achieving further peace and security in Afghanistan.