12/05/2015 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Attends Europe Day Reception

May 12, 2015: The European Union and its member states have contributed significantly to Afghanistan's development and the opportunity of the "Europe Day" reception was used by His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Fatimie to, on behalf of the people and Government of Afghanistan, extend his most forthright gratitude to the Ambassador of the European Union His Excellency Mr. Viorel Isticioaia-Budura and to the other European member states' Ambassadors in attendance for the selfless and comprehensive assistance of both the European Union and the European Commission to Afghanistan's many achievements of the previous thirteen years such as democracy.

H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie spoke with H.E. Ambassador Mr. Isticioaia-Budura and other Ambassadors who made strong assurances of their countries' continued support for Afghanistan. In what was testament to the fruits of hard work during the evening and in recent years, H.E. Ambassador Mr. Isticioaia-Budura communicated that he would like to have a meeting with H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie in the near future to discuss issues relating to Afghanistan and ways in which the country and, subsequently the peace and security of the world, can move forward.

Long time friend of Afghanistan and President of Japan's Komeito party, His Excellency Mr. Natsuo Yamaguchi, was also in attendance and H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie used the opportunity to again extend, on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, his sincere appreciation for Japan's ongoing efforts assisting the people of Afghanistan. It was also a great pleasure for H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie to meet with another long time friend of Afghanistan, Her Excellency Madam Sadako Ogata, former President of JICA, who continues to show a strong interest in Afghanistan and continues to assist Afghanistan whenever possible.

In what was a highly successful evening, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie also conversed extensively to the Chairman of the Committee on Audit in the House of Councillors The Honorable Mr. Kenji Kosaka who said that peace and stability in Afghanistan is a top priority for Japan. Discussions were also held with House of Representatives member Mr. Shinji Oguma, Ambassadors including Their Excellencies Mr. Yousef Mohamed Bilal, Mr. Mohamed El Amine Bencherif, Mr. Abdelwahab Mohamed Elhijazi of Qatar, Algeria and Sudan respectively as well as with many other distinguished Ambassadors from Africa and Latin American countries. H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie also had the honor of discussion issues of mutual interest with Deputy Chief of the Embassy of the United States of America the esteemed Mr. Jason P. Hyland.

Always looking for future opportunities to assist in the furthering of Afghanistan's development, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie also spent time speaking with Vice-President of Okayama University Dr. Shin-ichi Yamamoto about capacity building in Afghanistan and Vice-President Dr. Yamamoto, impressed by the discussions, invited H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie to make a formal visit to Okayama University in the near future. Such a visit could lay the foundations for the acceptance of more Afghan students studying on scholarships here in Japan. 

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