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Biden to host trilateral summit with Japan, Philippines

Against the backdrop of China’s territorial assertions, the Biden administration considers deeper collaboration with the Philippines crucial for regional peace and stability…reports Asian Lite News

President Joe Biden will host a three-way summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos in Washington on April 11, as announced by the White House, as reported by Kyodo News.

This historic summit, the first of its kind involving the United States, Japan, and the Philippines, aims to bolster defence cooperation in response to China’s assertive actions in the South and East China Seas, as well as around Taiwan.

The summit will take place a day after Biden’s meeting with Kishida, who will also attend a state dinner in his honor hosted by the US president, as per Kyodo News.

To prepare for the leaders’ discussions, the three countries will hold a meeting of senior diplomats in Tokyo on Thursday, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

According to Kyodo News, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to have a working dinner with Marcos in Manila on Tuesday, according to the State Department.

White House spokesperson Karine Jean Pierre asserted in a statement, “the three leaders will “advance a trilateral partnership built on deep historical ties of friendship, robust and growing economic relations, a proud and resolute commitment to shared democratic values, and a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Noting that the summit will provide a great opportunity for Biden to reaffirm the United States’ “ironclad alliances” with Japan and the Philippines, she said the issues to be discussed will include security in the region and beyond, emerging technologies, supply chains and climate cooperation.

“President Biden will hold a separate meeting with President Marcos at the White House on the summit day,” she added.

Japan’s government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi highlighted the trilateral summit in Tokyo on Tuesday, which will take place on the same day as Kishida’s address to a joint session of the US Congress, the first by a Japanese leader since 2015.

“Japan will further strengthen its three-way partnership with the United States and the Philippines for an “international order based on the rule of law,” Hayashi stated in a regular press conference.

Against the backdrop of China’s territorial assertions, the Biden administration considers deeper collaboration with the Philippines crucial for regional peace and stability.

The alliance serves as a deterrent against Chinese aggression, particularly regarding Taiwan’s status.

While the Marcos administration seeks to avoid entanglement in the US-China rivalry, it aims to diverge from its predecessor’s approach by maintaining Manila’s security alliance with Washington.

Both Japan and the Philippines confront security challenges posed by China’s territorial claims in their vicinity.

Last year’s June, trilateral meeting between the US, Japan, and the Philippines marked a significant step in enhancing regional security cooperation.

About a month before the meeting, Biden agreed with Marcos at the White House to establish “trilateral modes of cooperation” with Japan.

The two presidents also agreed at the time on new bilateral defence guidelines aimed at improving the interoperability of their land, sea, air and cyberspace forces. (ANI)

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Japan to Join Maritime Corridor Initiative

The initiative was launched on Tuesday, mainly led by Cyprus, the United States and the United Arab Emirates….reports Asian Lite News

Japan will join a maritime corridor initiative to deliver aid supplies to Gaza by sea from the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa has said.

The Japanese government plans to coordinate promptly with other related countries to deliver food, medical and hygiene supplies through the maritime corridor.

The initiative was launched on Tuesday, mainly led by Cyprus, the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

At a press conference, Kamikawa pointed out that the maritime corridor can avoid constraints at borders in ground transportation. “We will work promptly on the matter,” she said.

The UAE had announced the arrival of the first ship carrying 200 tonnes of food and relief supplies to the Gaza Strip. The aid was delivered via a maritime corridor launched from Larnaca Port in Cyprus to Gaza in collaboration between the UAE, World Central Kitchen (WCK), and the Republic of Cyprus.

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Biden opposes plan to sell US Steel to Japanese firm

By opposing the merger, Biden has chosen to support unionized workers in a critical election year at the risk of upsetting the business community and an essential ally in Japan…reports Asian Lite News

President Joe Biden came out in opposition to the planned sale of US Steel to Nippon Steel of Japan, saying on Thursday that the US needs to “maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steel workers.”

In a statement, Biden added: “US Steel has been an iconic American steel company for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated.”

By opposing the merger, Biden has chosen to support unionized workers in a critical election year at the risk of upsetting the business community and an essential ally in Japan. Thursday’s announcement, coming as Biden is campaigning in the Midwest, could have ripples in his race against the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump.

The Democratic president has made the restoration of American manufacturing a cornerstone of his agenda as he seeks reelection, and he has the endorsements of the AFL-CIO and several other prominent unions. The White House said Thursday that Biden called David McCall, president of United Steelworkers, to reiterate his support for its members.

Nippon Steel announced in December that it planned to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and US national security.

The Japanese company reiterated Friday how the deal benefits US Steel, union workers, the American steel industry and national security.

“Nippon Steel will advance American priorities by driving greater quality and competitiveness for customers in the critical industries that rely on American steel while strengthening American supply chains and economic defenses against China,” it said in a statement out of Tokyo.

“No other US steel company on its own can meet this challenge while also meeting antitrust requirements,” it said, stressing it already employs 4,000 American workers.

The company has also committed to keeping the US Steel name and Pittsburgh headquarters.

The company, which is the world’s fourth largest steel producer, launched a website with supportive statements from Larry Summers, the former treasury secretary, and Pat Toomey, a Republican and former senator from Pennsylvania.

Shortly after the steel deal was announced, the White House indicated it would be under review by the secretive Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. The government does not officially provide updates on the CFIUS review process.

Biden has a big megaphone to weigh in on the matter, but he is not intervening in the review process or formally blocking the deal, according to a person familiar with deliberations who insisted on anonymity to discuss the situation.

When asked about the deal on Thursday, White House national security spokesman John Kirby declined to say if the president wanted to stop it outright or would be amendable to changes in its structure. But Kirby told reporters that the United States sees its alliance with Japan as “stronger than it’s ever been.”

Still, the president holds sway over CFIUS. The treasury secretary leads the committee, which is also composed of the heads of federal agencies and, as deemed appropriate, directors of White House councils on the economy and national security.

Trump said earlier this year after meeting with the Teamsters union that he would stop the U.S. Steel acquisition: “I would block it. I think it’s a horrible thing, when Japan buys US Steel. I would block it instantaneously.”

Biden traveled Thursday to Saginaw, Michigan, which was once home to multiple General Motors plants and where he hopes his backing from union workers can resonate with voters.

The city is in a swing county that narrowly backed Trump in 2016 and then flipped to Biden in 2020, making it a crucial contest in this year’s presidential race.

Biden has a close relationship with the United Steelworkers. He gave the union members “personal assurances” that he has their backs, according to a February statement by the union about Nippon Steel’s plans. U.S. Steel is headquartered in Pennsylvania, another key state in this year’s election.

The United Steelworkers issued a statement last week after meeting with representatives from Nippon Steel that it had concerns about whether the company would honor existing labor agreements and about the company’s financial transparency, adding that there were “barriers” to closing a merger.

The US considers Japan to be one of its closest allies and a key partner in countering China’s ambitions and influence in Asia. Biden has visited the country twice as president and will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on April 10.

But Nippon Steel’s connections to China have raised concerns within the Biden administration. More than half the steel produced globally comes from China, according to the World Steel Association. India is the second-largest producer, followed by Japan and the United States.

The US Chamber of Commerce warned in a February blog post that it would be foolhardy of the Biden administration to block the deal. Doing so could hurt foreign investment into the United States, cause other countries to block the overseas investments that US companies want to make and undermine the US-Japan alliance, the chamber said.

John Murphy, the head of international issues for the chamber, said Thursday that it was “inappropriate and counterproductive” of Biden to politicize the CFIUS review.

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Jaishankar’s Japan Visit Explores Strategic and Global Ties

India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar’s Japan visit has explored ways to transform Special Strategic and Global Partnership, reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar concluded his three-day visit to Japan, during which he held meetings and interactions with several top leaders to explore ways to qualitatively transform the Special Strategic and Global Partnership, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.

The EAM called on Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida and conveyed Prime Minister Modi’s greetings to him. He also briefed Kishida about recent developments in India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, and sought his guidance to further strengthen the relationship.

Jaishankar held the 16th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue with Japanese Foreign Minister, Yoko Kamikawa, on March 7.

During this, the two leaders reviewed the broad canvas of India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, including political exchanges; trade, investment, infrastructure and technology collaboration; developmental coordination; defence and security cooperation; as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Jaishankar held the 16th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue with Japanese Foreign Minister, Yoko Kamikawa

The two ministers agreed to make the relationship responsive to contemporary demands and foster better understanding between our two peoples. Their discussion touched, inter alia, cooperation for building respective semiconductor ecosystems, green technologies, defence equipment and technology, digital payments, mobility arrangements, promotion of Japanese language in India, etc. The dialogue also covered regional issues of mutual interest in the Indo-Pacific and major global developments, the MEA statement read.

Jaishankar also held meetings with senior political leaders, including; Taro Aso, Vice President of LDP; Toshimitsu Motegi, Secretary General of LDP; and Yoshihide Suga, Chairman of Japan India Association, during which strong sentiments of support for bilateral partnerships were evident.

Jaishankar met the Secretary-General of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Toshimitsu Motegi

During the visit, he also met Akie Abe and handed over a letter from Prime Minister Modi conveying his condolences over the demise of Madam Yoko Abe, the mother of late Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe.

During his visit, Jaishankar also interacted with a wide cross-section of public and opinion makers in Japan.

Jaishankar met with Mrs Akie Abe, wife of late PM Shinzo Abe.

He attended the inaugural Raisina Roundtable in Tokyo, and delivered remarks on India-Japan bilateral relations in the overall context of the evolving global trends. EAM also addressed the Nikkei Forum on India-Japan partnership, outlining the historical and current trajectories in the relationship and reflecting on the new possibilities.

“EAM’s visit to Japan provided a timely opportunity to take stock of the ongoing bilateral cooperation and explore ways to qualitatively transform the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two countries, in its 10th year,” the MEA statement added. (ANI)

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Recognise India’s Dynamic Evolution, Jaishankar Tells Japan

The minister said that the transformation of India makes it a more effective and credible partner…reports Asian Lite News

 External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Thursday that it is important for Japan to recognise that India is a very different country today and appreciate the pace of change in the South Asian nation.

Speaking at the first Raisina Roundtable in Tokyo, a key step towards enhancing track 2 exchanges between the two countries, the minister said that the transformation of India makes it a more effective and credible partner.

“I think it’s important that Japan today appreciates the pace of change in India. This is a country today which is building 28 kilometers of highway every day, which is creating eight new airports every year, which is establishing one-and-a-half to two metros every year…”

He further said that in the last 10 years, India has built two new colleges every day and has doubled its technical and medical institutions and that “this transformation of India makes us a more effective and credible partner”.

“Whether it is the ease of doing business, infrastructure development, ease of living, digital delivery, startup, and innovation culture… India is clearly a very different country today. This is important for the Japanese to recognise,” the minister said, adding that India is increasingly turning to like-minded partners who gather together for a particular purpose.

Agreeing that the most universal expression of the global order is still the United Nations, Dr Jaishankar said that its reform is of paramount importance, and India and Japan seek to make the UN structures more contemporary.

“This is clearly an uphill task but one in which we must persevere as two powers that are so central to multipolarity in Asia. It is also in our common interest that the overall balance remains in favour of freedom, openness, transparency, and a rules-based order,” the minister said.

Stating that the world is now more volatile, uncertain, unpredictable, and open-ended, Jaishankar said that it is a “prospect that India and Japan have to confront, both from the National perspectives as well as from the point of view of their own relationship”.

The minister also called for Japanese cooperation concerning the development assistance in the Global South.

He added that as a leading voice of the Global South, and being “particularly conscious of this responsibility”, India’s development efforts today span 78 nations across different continents.

The first Raisina Roundtable@Tokyo, which came just after the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi last month, focused on how India and Japan, who enjoy a special strategic and global Partnership, intend to meet the challenges facing the global order.

Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Japan from March 6-8 for the 16th India-Japan Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue with Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.

The two ministers are expected to discuss issues of bilateral, regional and global importance, and exchange views on cooperation for a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership has further deepened in the last decade in areas such as defence and digital technologies, semiconductor supply chains, clean energy, high speed rail, industrial competitiveness and connectivity.

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Japan PM to address US Congress next month

According to a report in NHK, US House Speaker Johnson released a statement along with bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate on Monday…reports Asian Lite News

Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has been invited to address a joint session of the US Congress on April 11, congressional leaders said, according to Kyodo news agency.

Kishida is scheduled to travel to Washington for an official visit next month.

House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson and other congressional leaders in a letter to Kishida on Monday said that his address, the first by a Japanese leader in nine years, is necessary with the relationship between the United States and Japan “as important as ever,” Kyodo reported.

According to a White House statement, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Fumio and his wife Kishida Yuko for the official visit, which will include a state dinner, on April 10.

“The visit will underscore the enduring strength of our Alliance partnership, the unwavering US commitment to Japan, and Japan’s increasing global leadership role,” the statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre read.

“President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida will discuss efforts to strengthen political, security, economic, and people-to-people ties so that our Alliance is postured to address evolving challenges and advance our shared vision for a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and world,” the White House said.

The last time a Japanese prime minister addressed a joint session of Congress was in 2015, when the late Abe Shinzo delivered a speech.

According to a report in NHK, US House Speaker Johnson released a statement along with bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate on Monday.

In the statement, he says, “It is our honour to host Prime Minister Kishida for his first joint address” to the US Congress. “Now, more than ever, we must speak out against tyranny and continue our pursuit of freedom and democracy worldwide,” the Japanese media outlet reported.

Johnson, according to the NHK report praised the Japan-US security treaty, calling it a “shining example of international cooperation and diplomacy.” He describes the bilateral alliance as a “cornerstone of stability and security” for both nations and the world.

The Japanese media outlet further cited sources to say that Kishida is also considering a trip outside Washington to see Japanese companies doing business in the United States.

Kishida’s US visit comes eight months after Biden hosted Japan’s Prime Minister and South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol at the US presidential retreat of Camp David for a landmark summit focused on accelerating an anti-China policy.

At the end of the first trilateral summit of the three countries, a joint statement condemned the “dangerous and aggressive behaviour” by China and expressed stern opposition against any attempt to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific.

Additionally, the joint declaration by US, Japan and South Korea expressed shared concerns over Chinese actions in supporting unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea, as well as their strong opposition to any unilateral actions by Beijing aimed at changing the existing situation in the Indo-Pacific waters.

They also opposed the militarization of reclaimed features; the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels and coercive activities, and further expressed concern about illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. (ANI)

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Yoon Stresses Partnership with Japan for Global Peace

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul on March 28, 2023.(Yonhap/IANS)

Yoon Suk Yeol cited efforts under his administration to strengthen bilateral cooperation against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats and build partnerships across industries…reports Asian Lite News

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday said that Seoul and Japan are partners in the pursuit of global peace and prosperity as they work to overcome their “painful past” and move toward a new future.

Yoon Suk Yeol made the remark as he marked the 105th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement against Japanese colonial rule, a watershed event during Japan’s 1910-45 brutal occupation of the Korean Peninsula, Yonhap news agency reported.

“Now, Korea and Japan are working together to overcome the painful past,” he said during a commemoration ceremony at the Memorial Hall of Yu Gwan-sun in Seoul. “Sharing the values of freedom, human rights and the rule of law, our two countries have become partners in the pursuit of common interests for global peace and prosperity.”

Yoon Suk Yeol cited efforts under his administration to strengthen bilateral cooperation against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats and build partnerships across industries.

“If Korea and Japan build trust through mutual exchanges and cooperation and work together to resolve difficult challenges that history has left us, we will be able to usher in a new and brighter future for our bilateral relations,” he said. “I hope that the 60th anniversary of Korea and Japan normalising diplomatic relations next year will serve as an opportunity to take our bilateral relationship to a higher level, one that is more productive and constructive.”

He also said the independence movement will be made complete only when the Korean Peninsula achieves a unification that brings freedom and abundance to everyone, noting the repressive rule of the North Korean regime.

“Now, we must move toward a free, unified Korean Peninsula where the people are its rightful owners,” he said, noting the need to draw on the help of the international community.

“The tyranny and human rights abuses of the North Korean regime deny the universal values of humanity. Unification is precisely what is needed to expand the universal values of freedom and human rights,” he said.

President Yoon reiterated his commitment to helping the North Korean people, including defectors to the South, citing the government’s designation of July 14 as North Korean Defectors’ Day.

He also recalled that North Korea recently labeled the South its “primary foe” and “invariable principal enemy,” saying, “This is truly deplorable.”

Meanwhile, President Yoon called attention to the various types of independence movements that were carried out under colonial rule, including those who engaged in armed struggle and others who pursued diplomacy around the world or initiated educational and cultural movements to empower Koreans with necessary skills

“The blood and sweat of these independence activists enabled our country’s independence and became the foundation of the Republic of Korea,” he said, referring to South Korea by its formal name. “I believe that the significance of all of these independence movements must be duly recognised and their history should be passed down correctly generation after generation.”

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European Union, Japan plan security accord

European Union flags fly outside the European Commission building in Brussels, Belgium, on June 9, 2021. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong/IANS)

The EU’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting emphasized the need to enhance cooperation between the EU and Japan to elevate their partnership to a higher level…reports Asian Lite News

The European Union (EU) on Monday decided to engage in negotiations with Japan to establish a security and defence partnership agreement to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level amid China’s maritime assertiveness, Kyodo News reported citing an EU document.

The proposed agreement between the EU and Japan seeks to enhance cooperation in various domains, including maritime security, intelligence sharing, and addressing hybrid attacks – a novel form of warfare blending military and non-military strategies, such as disinformation campaigns, to achieve strategic goals.

According to Kyodo News, the move comes after Japan and the EU vowed to “develop further (their) security partnership” in a joint statement following their summit meeting last July amid concerns about China’s growing clout in the East and South China seas.

Calling Japan a “key partner in the Indo-Pacific” region, the document said the two sides are “longstanding partners in the field of peace, security and defence and have significantly developed their relationship in these areas over the past few years.

The EU’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting emphasized the need to enhance cooperation between the EU and Japan to elevate their partnership to a higher level.

Among the 14 areas identified for potential collaboration with Japan, maritime security features prominently, including joint exercises in the Indo-Pacific region and supporting the maritime security capabilities of Southeast Asian nations, Kyodo News said.

Additionally, the EU aims to collaborate with Japan in responding to cyber threats, safeguarding critical infrastructure, and coordinating efforts in counterterrorism, space security, and defence, it said.

During its summit last year, the EU emphasized the strategic importance of the East and South China Seas for regional and global security and prosperity, expressing concerns over escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

The decision to pursue a security agreement underscores the EU’s commitment to bolstering regional stability and security in collaboration with key partners like Japan amid evolving geopolitical dynamics. (ANI)

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‘China Hacked Japan’s Diplomatic Channels’

phone hacking.(photo:https://pixabay.com/)

The source said that countermeasures were discussed between Tokyo and Washington in the wake of the leak of the diplomatic telegrams…reports Asian Lite News

Classified Japanese diplomatic information was leaked following Chinese cyberattacks on the country’s Foreign Ministry in 2020, a Japanese government source said on Monday, Kyodo News reported.

Japan detected the large-scale attack and release of diplomatic telegrams during a period of government under then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the source said, but the nature of the leaked information is still not publicly known, as per Kyodo News.

The source said that countermeasures were discussed between Tokyo and Washington in the wake of the leak of the diplomatic telegrams, which are highly confidential documents exchanged daily between the ministry and diplomatic missions abroad.

The diplomatic telegrams were sent via an encrypted Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network, or IP-VPN, according to the source. The use of this kind of network is critical in the transfer of sensitive data, as per Kyodo News.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a press conference that the government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has not confirmed that secret Foreign Ministry information was accessed through the cyberattacks.

The ministry “has routinely worked to maintain and strengthen cybersecurity,” Hayashi said.

As per Kyodo News, Japan has lagged behind other developed countries in the development of its cybersecurity defenses, causing great concern to its close security ally, the United States. Washington has urged Tokyo to improve its cybersecurity capabilities.

Japan, in its National Security Strategy updated recently, pledged to introduce “active cyber defense” to eliminate in advance the possibility of serious cyberattacks that could threaten “national security and critical infrastructure.”

But bills to implement a more active approach to cyber defense have not been submitted to parliament as discussions on the issue have stalled, with fears lingering that such a move could violate the nation’s Constitutional guarantee on the secrecy of communications, according to Kyodo News.

Among other governmental offices that have suffered cyberattacks, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency was likely targeted by an attack last year, but no sensitive information on rockets or satellites was accessed.

In August, the government’s National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity said it found that email addresses and other information might have been leaked as a result of unauthorized external access. (ANI)

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Japan provides $13.5 mn humanitarian aid to Afghanistan: WFP

The aid will help the WFP deliver emergency food and nutrition assistance to food-insecure people…reports Asian Lite News

The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced the humanitarian aid of USD 13.5 million from Japan to the Afghan people, as reported by TOLO News.

The aid will help the WFP deliver emergency food and nutrition assistance to food-insecure people, support schoolchildren to learn better and keep the United Nations Humanitarian Air Services (UNHAS) operational.

Najib, a 12-year-old student who works with his father in Kabul, said that he is trying to support his five-member family by working and wishes that their economic challenges would end.

“We want the government to provide work opportunities for my father so that we can continue our studies,” he added.

The World Food Programme highlighted that with the help of this aid, the organisation will reach nearly 6,00,000 food-insecure people through food assistance, TOLO News reported.

“With this contribution, WFP plans to reach nearly 630,000 food-insecure people through food assistance and treat more than 42,000 malnourished pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children. Almost 36,000 schoolchildren in primary school will receive fortified biscuits as daily school snacks to help them stay healthy and learn better,” they stated.

Some residents of the capital, facing economic challenges, asked the Taliban to distribute id to the needy in a transparent manner, according to TOLO News.

Barat Khan, a Kabul resident, said, “We earn 200 to 250 Afghanis a day and our family members are large, so the money is not sufficient.”

Ziaullah, another resident of Kabul, emphasised that help should be given to those who really deserve it.

“Help should be given to those who really deserve it, and the government should have full cooperation in this area.”

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, appreciated the help received by the organisation and said that they want more help from them.

“The economic situation in Afghanistan is normal and it is affected after the war and forty years of war have passed in this country. The countries that help us should increase their cooperation. We appreciate their help and we want more help from them, but the distribution of aid will be good,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy welcomed the aid of the countries of the world to Afghanistan and emphasised the continuation of this aid in the development and infrastructure programmes of the country, according to TOLO News.

Abdul Rahman Habib, spokesman for the Ministry of Economy, said, “In addition to humanitarian aid, donor organisations and countries should focus on employment-generating sectors that lead to job opportunities through the implementation of development projects.”

Earlier, WFP announced USD 2.2 million from Denmark for humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and said that the total aid of this country to Afghanistan since 2015 has reached USD 36.4 million. (ANI)

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