A visit to Afghanistan

President of Montenegro Filip Vujanovic, Minister of Defence Boro Vucinic and Chief of Staff of the Army of Montenegro, Vice Admiral Dragan Samardzic visited the III contingent of Montenegrin Army in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.

Montenegrin delegation in Mazar e Sharif was received the Commander of Regional Command North, Major General Markus Kneip. He said that our unit provides a significant contribution, especially with the task of securing the base Panonia in Pol e Khomri, province which is crucial for the development of conditions in the northern part of Afghanistan.

After visiting the base and talking with our staff officers, the delegation went to the base Pannonia in Pol-e-Kõmri where most of the Montenegrin soldiers are – 33 soldiers. After the ceremonial welcome by the III Montenegrin contingent led by the commander Zoran Vukadinovic, the Montenegrin delegation was received by the commander of the provincial reconstructive team Balazs Slosjar.

On the second day of the visit, Friday 1st of April, the President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai with high state honors received in his residence in Kabul President Vujanovic.

Two presidents discussed matters of bilateral interest. In a brief meeting, both leaders exchanged views on boosting relations between the two countries and handing over security command to Afghan forces.

Karzai explained the President and members of the Montenegrin delegation the situation in Afghanistan. According to him, there has been great economic progress, but the most important goal is to solve security problems.

"The basis of peace in Afghanistan is strengthening good relations with its neighbors, Pakistan and Iran. Afghan force is in the force of the people," said Karzai. He explained that the transition plan will begin on 1st of July 2011, and he expressed hope that it will be completed by 2014.

“Though we have very limited presence in Afghanistan, we have similarities in different sectors with Afghanistan. Steps have been taken to boost cooperation in education and culture sectors between the two countries,” Vujanovic said.

Montenegrin delegation was also received by the mission commander General David Petraeus in the command of ISAF in Kabul, who informed his guests about the current security situation and plans for transition.

Montenegrin delegation was also received by Deputy High Civilian Representative of NATO in Afghanistan, Dr. Mark Jacobson. According to him, 2009 and 2010 established a formula for a military engagement of the international forces in Afghanistan, while the 2011 and 2012 represent a challenge in the political sense of engagement of international forces.

During the two-day visit to the Montenegrin soldiers in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, President Vujanovic awarded the Medal of Merit to captain Ivica Simonovic, liaison officers and the current operation in Mazar-e Sharif.

A visit to Afghanistan