The Vice-Chairman of the National Defence Committee and of the Estonia-Afghanistan Friendship Group of the Riigikogu Aivar Riisalu said that Estonia is ready to contribute to building up Afghanistan through civil missions.

“We are very happy to be able to continue with civil missions in 2014,” Riisalu said. He also invited the Afghan youth to come to study in Estonian universities.

Deputy Ministers of several Afghan Ministries, Directors General of various administrative agencies and many other high-ranking state officials are visiting Estonia for nearly a week to learn about Estonia’s e-state solutions. “If we can be of assistance to you in the future, our nation would only be too glad to do so. We could also share our experiences in applying IT in practice as a young country,” Riisalu said.

Next year, the Riigikogu is expecting a delegation of the lower house of the Afghan parliament on a return visit.

The Riigikogu has started proceedings on a draft resolution to extend the international peace keeping mission in Afghanistan from 1 January 2014. The Riigikogu mandate would allow the deployment of up to 170 members of the Defence Forces in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) until 31 December 2014.

The allied forces plan to end the mission in 2014; the security of Afghanistan will become the responsibility of the Afghan National Security Forces.

Photos of the meeting 
 

The Riigikogu Press Service