5/06/2015 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Attends the USFJ/5th AF Change of Command Ceremony

June 05, 2015: 
With few countries having provided greater assistance toward Afghanistan's reconstruction and development than Japan and the United States of America, it was with a sense of utmost importance that His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Fatimie attended the USFJ/5th AF Change of Command Ceremony at Yokota Air Base. In what was a fruitful morning for progressing relations with a number of countries, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie met with the new Commander of the United State's forces in Japan, Lieutenant General Dolan, who has previously served in Afghanistan, particularly in Kandahar, and communicated that he was impressed with the progress Afghanistan is making. On behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie expressed his deep gratitude to Lieutenant General Dolan for his honorable service in Afghanistan.

The opportunity was also taken to extend Afghanistan's warm relations with Japan by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie who held discussions with influential people such as Vice-Minister for International Affairs of the Ministry of Defense His Excellency Mr. Hideshi Tokuchi, Chief of Staff of Japan's Self Defence Forces Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, Major General Kazuo Tokito, and with Lieutenant General Kousuke Yoshida. H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie expressed his appreciation, on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, to Vice-Minister Tokuchi for Japan's generous and comprehensive support for peace and socio-economic development.

H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie also spoke with Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the United States Mr. Jason Hyland, who thanked him for attending, and also met with the New Zealand Defence Attache Captain Anthony Hayes.