2017.21.08 Courtesy Call on H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Oka, Director- General of Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau/Ambassador, Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan Assistance at MOFA

Courtesy Call on H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Oka, Director- General of Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau/Ambassador, Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan Assistance at MOFA

August 21, 2017: It was an honor for H.E. Ambassador Dr. Bashir Mohabbat to call on H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Oka, Director-General of Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau/Ambassador, Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan Assistance at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan, at MOFA headquarters in Kasumigaseki. Also in attendance was Mr. Basir Hamdard, First Secretary for the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Japan and Ms. Kinuka Shibamura, officer at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan.

H.E. Director-General Mr. Oka welcomed the diplomats and expressed his sincerest congratulations to H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohabbat on his new appointment, remarking on his aptitude for the position given his academic background and length if time in Japan, and wishing him the greatest success during his mission. In return, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat thanked him for the welcome as well as his kind words. Further, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat said that as Japan-Afghanistan relations go back for centuries making the two countries relationship quite profound, on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan he would like to express heartfelt appreciation and thanks for the noble nation of Japan’s steadfast support and friendship and his sincerest hopes for a deepening and strengthening of their ties.

H.E. Mr. Oka then expressed his condolences for the May 31st Kabul attack, which left over 150 people dead and 400 people injured, with two members of the Japanese Embassy in Kabul, as well as the recent attacks in Sar-e Pol Province. He further stated that terrorism is the common enemy of the world and as such there should be a concerted effort to defeat them. H.E. Dr. Mohabbat thanked him for the sympathy. He then expressed his hope that the international community, including Japan, will support the effort in defeating terrorism. H.E. Mr. Oka reaffirmed that Japan will continue its support to Afghanistan until well after it can stand on its own feet and become completely secure and peaceful.

Original Page