national day M oving forward toward peace and prosperity

Sayed M. Amin Fatimie the people and the govern- of Afghanistan H.E. Ashraf Afghanistan to share its his- deep gratitude to our friends ambas s ador of afghanistan ment of the noble nation of Ghani and Chief Executive torical treasures with the Jap- worldwide and the great peo- for their firm friend- H. E. Abdullah Abdullah. anese people. ple of Japan in particular for T oday, on the ship and partnership. Although there are still I would like to take this op- their selfless and generous 96th anniver- Afghanistan has made sig- challenges to overcome, Af- portunity to once again express support of Afghanistan. sary of the Na- nificant progress in its polit- ghanistan has certainly been tional Day of ical system and institutions. improving politically, social- Afghanistan, it Afghanistan’s 2014 presiden- ly and economically in re- is a great plea- tial elections marked histor- cent years, receiving great sure for me to ic voter turnout, with the support from the interna- convey on be- highest female turnout for tional community. Japan’s half of the the first democratic transfer contributions, especially to people and the government of power in the country’s his- our nation’s peace building, of the Islamic Republic of Af- tory. The government of Na- development and recon- ghanistan sincerest greetings tional Unity was established struction have been remark- and deepest respects to Their last September under the able. Japan has been playing Majesties Emperor strong leadership of Presi- a key role in support of our and , and dent of the Islamic Republic nation, reaching a wide range of sectors and creating Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani (right) and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah real improvements in the embassy of afghanistan lives of Afghan children, women and men. I would also like to men- Enjoying significant social, economic development tion that exhibitions of Af- ghan cultural heritage are Sadako Ogata reconstruction. Currently, Afghanistan faces scheduled to take place at the Di stinguished Fellow and Former President, diverse challenges as it shifts to the trans- Kyushu National Museum Japan International Cooperation Agency formation decade between 2015 and 2024. I from Jan. 1 to Feb. 14, 2016, firmly believe that Japan, together with the and at the National I t is my pleasure to extend international community, will continue to Museum from April 12 to my heartfelt congratula- make all efforts with the Afghan people to June 19, 2016. The joint effort tions to the people of Af- build a peaceful country. that made these exhibitions ghanistan on the 96th Through my long experience in support of possible truly marks the anniversary of the National Afghanistan as the United nations High Com- friendship and cooperation Day of the Islamic Republic missioner for (UNHCR), as the spe- between Japan and Afghani- of Afghanistan. cial representative of the prime minister of stan. Japanese visitors may I am grateful for all Afghan Japan on reconstruction assistance to Af- remember that, centuries efforts to achieve steady so- ghanistan and later the president of the ago, Afghanistan was con- cial and economic development over the Japan International Cooperation Agency nected to Japan via the Silk last fourteen years. Japan has been a lead- (JICA), I offer my warmest wishes to the Af- Road. Afghan culture is once ing supporter of Afghanistan on its endeav- ghan people in achieving sustainable peace, Afghanistan Ambassador Sayed M. Amin Fatimie (left) is again welcomed into Japan, ors to promote peace building and stability and prosperity. welcomed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who hosted an iftar and the exhibitions are a (evening meal) reception on June 30. s embas y of afghanistan wonderful opportunity for

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