Norway will continue to be a major contributor to Afghanistan, but will set clearer requirements for what the Afghans must deliver, said Mr Brende.
Brende is this week in Brussels to attend a major international donor conference for Afghanistan. He will on Wednesday come with new pledges for what Norway will contribute.
– We’re going to be a significant contributor to Afghan aid, but with even clearer pre-requisits than previously, says Brende said.
He says he expects that the international community will continue to support Afghanistan, which is one of the world’s poorest countries.
But donors will to a greater extent than earlier demand that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and acting prime minister Abdullah Abdullah show more willingness to strengthen their democracy and overcome the tremendous corruption in the country.
– I think it’s important that we maintain the support level for Afghanistan and acknowledge the fact that it is one of the world’s poorest countries. There is an enormous development task ahead, says Brende.
– But they must also take seriously the commitments they have undertaken, he said.
Norway has already reduced aid to Afghanistan in the state budget for 2016 and the grounds that the Afghans have not delivered well enough on their promises.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today
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