Emiratis killed in 2017 to get permanent memorial
▶ Ambassador says memorial to six blast victims will be built in Kandahar
Afghanistan’s ambassador to the UAE paid tribute to six Emiratis killed by a terrorist attack in Kandahar in 2017.
Javid Ahmad said the tragic events of January 10 served only to strengthen both countries’ resolve against terrorism.
Marking four years since the blast on Tuesday, Mr Ahmad said it failed in its attempt to deter Emirati solidarity with his country.
Five Emirati diplomats were in Afghanistan to carry out humanitarian work when a bomb went off as Kandahar’s governor was meeting a UAE delegation at his guesthouse.
The UAE’s ambassador to Afghanistan at the time, Juma Al Kaabi, was among the injured and died of his wounds later. The attack triggered international condemnation and flags flew at half staff in the UAE for three days.
“Afghanistan deeply appreciates and fondly remembers the ultimate sacrifices paid by our UAE brothers,” Mr Ahmad told The National.
“Afghanistan will place a permanent memorial in the heart of Kandahar in memory of the late ambassador.
“The attack on that fateful day didn’t weaken the resolve of our UAE partners against the multi-layered threat of terrorism. In fact, it has solidified our joint commitment to stand against all types of extremism.”
In a wide-ranging interview with The National, Mr Ahmad said the attacks were an attempt to stop crucial humanitarian work, but the terrorists had failed.
“Development and humanitarian efforts by our Emirati and other partners have continued undeterred,” he said.
During a pledging conference in Geneva on November 23, the UAE was among the many countries to support Afghanistan, with more than $12 billion pledged over the next four years.
This “sends a clear message to the Taliban that the world stands with Afghanistan”, the ambassador said.
The UAE and Afghanistan established diplomatic relations in 1973. The Emirates has supported Afghanistan with substantial financial aid and humanitarian assistance throughout some difficult years. Scores of infrastructure projects in the country have been financed by the UAE.
Mr Ahmad touched on growing trade, security and aviation ties. Trade between the two countries was estimated at $1.8bn before the coronavirus pandemic.
Afghanistan’s four international airports are currently managed by UAE companies – Abu Dhabi Airports Company, G42 and Afroport.
“They are doing an excellent job,” Mr Ahmad said. “They brought the UAE’s competitive and comparative advantages.”
Afghanistan has also signed a deal with Siemens Energy in the UAE to develop its energy hub and electric grid system.
“Down the road we will be investing in renewable energy and we are in discussion with our UAE partners [regarding that],” Mr Ahmad said.
Plans for co-operation in the mining sector are gathering pace, with six agreements already signed. Afghanistan is rich in mineral resources, and Mr Ahmad said its supply of lithium, crucial for batteries that power smartphones and electric cars, was one area of co-operation.
The partnership with the UAE will be exclusive in the mining sector, he said.
“In general, we have a huge lithium supply but we also have gold, copper and hydrocarbon, among other rare earth minerals.
“A suite of other long-term programmes is under discussion, involving energy, mining, agriculture and digital governance,” he said.
“I am happy to say that the appetite and potential for this partnership to expand is vast.”
Afghanistan deeply appreciates and fondly remembers the ultimate sacrifices paid by our UAE brothers
JAVID AHMAD
Afghanistan’s ambassador to the UAE