Consul General Ramin Manawi met with Dr. Jeffrey Reeves, Vice president of the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada (APFC) on July 12th, 2021. During the meeting, the two sides discussed current programs of the APFC on regional security, economic development, trade, and related issues. Dr. Reeves provided the necessary information on how the APFC engages with Asia on issues of utmost concern for the region and how it could focus more on South-Central Asia, including on issues related to Afghanistan.
Mr. Manawi underscored the importance of the work of APFC and other institutions on presenting and publishing realities on the ground, particularly matters related to security and development in Asia and Afghanistan and expressed interest in coordinating with the APFC on issues related to Afghanistan and the region. He also reflected that in addition to the daily consular services for citizens and other official duties, the Consulate General intends to play its role on related important issues and continues to expand relationships with major institutions.
Given the opportunity and considering the directives and overall policy of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Consul General provided updates on the security situation, the peace process, commitments of the Afghan government in this regard, and the role of the international community in supporting Afghanistan. He emphasized on the urgent need for end of the ongoing violence, continuation of the negotiations and a permanent ceasefire. Also, the role of regional countries in peace and stability in the region was discussed. It was highlighted that there is a need for honoring the commitments under the peace agreement, cutting ties with the international terrorists, continuing the peace process and agreeing on a ceasefire that is the desire of the whole nation. It was further noted that the current increase of violence and war has led to a humanitarian crisis where over three thousand five hundred people have lost their lives in recent weeks, thousands have been injured and around two hundred seventy thousand families have been displaced and lost their homes. Therefore, there is an urgent need for assistance to the needy people in different parts of the country.
Both sides agreed that Afghanistan must be supported at this critical stage and peace and stability in Afghanistan is in the interest of all regional countries and beyond. It was agreed that the Consulate and the APFC will consult further on organizing events and working on related publications regarding Afghanistan and the region.