NEWS RELEASES
December 19, 2005 (10:50 a.m. EST)
No. 248
CANADA COMMENDS INAUGURATION OF AFGHAN PARLIAMENT
The Government of Canada today issued the following statement regarding the
inauguration of Afghanistan’s first parliament in three decades:
“Canada congratulates the newly elected Afghan parliament on convening for the first
time. This is a day for Afghanistan to reflect with pride on the remarkable progress it
has made and to look with confidence to the future.
“The September 18, 2005, elections were a major step forward on Afghanistan’s path to
greater stability and peace. The opening of the first session of parliament is an
important milestone in Afghanistan’s democratic development—an expression of the
democratic right of the Afghan people. It will undoubtedly play a key role in helping to
build transparent and accountable democratic institutions.
“The people of Afghanistan will be given a voice through their elected representatives in
parliament—they will play a role in shaping their country. The formation of the
parliament marks the fulfilment of the 2001 Bonn agreement, a framework for
democratic transition. A new agreement between Afghanistan and the international
community is currently under development to help maintain momentum and build upon
commitments. Canada is playing an active role in this process.”
More information on Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan, including its contribution to
the election process, can be found at www.canada-afghanistan.gc.ca.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
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