Strengthening Afghanistan–Italy Relations: Peace, Security, and Cultural Cooperation in Herat

Key Points

• Welcome & Gratitude: Appreciation for Italian delegation and sacrifices of soldiers and civilians.
• Historic Herat: Recognizing Herat’s resilience and shared cultural heritage.
• Development & Security: 14-year transformative journey; Afghan forces maintain stability after transition.
• Democracy: Peaceful transfer of authority between elected presidents.
• Cooperation & Investment: Thanks to Italy; encourage investment and regional stability.
• Friendship & Support: Deep personal friendship; support for Italy’s UN Security Council candidacy.
• Condolences: Sympathy to families of fallen Italian soldiers.
• Enduring Friendship: 93 years of Afghan-Italian ties.

Your Excellency Prime Minister Renzi, distinguished members of your delegation, Honorable Chief of Staff of Italy, and esteemed Italian colleagues—both in the military and civilian sectors—welcome to Herat.

First and foremost, on behalf of the people and government of Afghanistan, and all my colleagues in the cabinet, I extend my profound gratitude for the sacrifices of Italian soldiers and officers, as well as the tireless efforts of His Excellency the Ambassador and the civilian mission.

It is a profound honor to welcome you to historic Herat. Herat has been destroyed eight times over the last five centuries, yet its resilient spirit has never been extinguished. Italy and Afghanistan share a common thread in their millennia-old cultures. I am hopeful that in the years ahead, we will collaborate extensively in the cultural domain, fostering a new era of dialogue between civilizations with an emphasis on human values.

Fourteen years ago, Afghanistan embarked on a transformative journey in which every Afghan—woman, child, and man—has a significant role in shaping a brighter future inspired by our history.

We have completed an unprecedented security transition, transferring responsibility from international forces to Afghan leadership. One hundred thousand international combat forces have concluded their missions, and, contrary to pessimistic predictions, Afghan security and defense forces have maintained stability without allowing a security vacuum.

For the first time in our five-thousand-year history, national authority has peacefully and democratically transferred from one elected president to another, based on the will of the people and free elections.

I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to Your Excellency, the Government of Italy, and the Italian people for fourteen years of steadfast cooperation.

Our overarching goal remains the eradication of poverty, injustice, and division from Afghan society. Afghanistan has historically been the crossroads of Asia, and once again, we aspire to restore that centrality.

With your wise leadership in Italy and Europe, I am confident that the foundation is being laid for a new era of regional and international stability and prosperity.

We anticipate that Italian investors will play a significant role in regional cooperation, contributing meaningfully to peace and stability.

Prime Minister, allow me to address you as a friend. In a remarkably short time, we have cultivated a deep personal friendship, grounded in shared vision, mutual trust, and collaborative action.

Afghanistan will proudly support Italy’s candidacy for the United Nations Security Council. Italy’s voice is pivotal for international governance and fostering global cooperation, given its long and distinguished political heritage.

I thank you for your visit and have only one request: please convey my deepest condolences, and those of the Afghan government, armed forces, and people, to the families of Italian military personnel who lost their lives in Afghanistan, and offer our sincere sympathies on their behalf.

Long live the friendship between Afghanistan and Italy, now in its ninety-third year!

Thank you.