Brussels, 18/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - The 40 donor countries providing support for Afghanistan, welcomed on Monday in Brussels by the European Commission and the World Bank, have pledged to contribute $1.8 billion to rebuilding the country from March 2003 to March 2004. The promise is considered "extremely generous" by the Afghan Finance Minister Ahraf Ghani Ahmadzai, since it covers, he says, 90% of the aid requested by Kabul ($2.25 billion). The United States ($820 million for rebuilding and humanitarian aid), the European Union (EUR 400 million for rebuilding alone) and Japan ($500 million over two years) will be the main contributors. Chris Patten, European External Relations Commissioner, gave substance to the Community's contribution by signing the Financing Agreement (see EUROPE of 15 March, p.11).
"As far as we are concerned, we have committed ourselves to the duration", the Commissioner said during a press conference, referring to the promise already made by the Union to mobilise EUR 200 million annually for Afghanistan over five years. Chris Patten added that the crisis in Iraq should not, in his view, distract the donors' attention from Afghanistan.
A second conference of donors should be convened in six months' time to examine the appeal made by the Afghan authorities for budgetary aid of $15-20 billion to cover rebuilding needs over the next five years.