The Situation in Afghanistan

I would like to submit the following statement on the situation in Afghanistan.

My government welcomes today’s briefing by the Secretary General’s Special Representative Arnault and his report on the situation in Afghanistan. I believe the Security Council’s Presidential Statement demonstrates the United Nations commitment to fair elections in Afghanistan and to improving the security situation on the ground.

We welcome the upcoming elections, which signify the conclusion of the Bonn Agreement political transition plan. My government would like to underline some key principles that need to be included in the continuation of the post-Bonn framework: stocktaking, metrics, and mechanisms for accountability; a focus on better governance, capacity building, and the sustainability of governmental institutions; and the fulfillment of the security sector reform goals as outlined in the Bonn Agreement.

The post-Bonn framework will also require enhanced coordination of the efforts by the international community to assist Afghanistan at this critical time. My government will continue to work with Afghanistan's neighbors to strengthen its borders as well as reinforce regional cooperative efforts on security.