Welcome message from the Ambassador
It is a great pleasure to personally welcome you to the website of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in the United Kingdom. I am honoured to be entrusted with the important task of representing Afghanistan as its Ambassador to the United Kingdom and as a non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland. My team and I will strive to maintain and further develop the strong and long-standing diplomatic relationship between Afghanistan and the UK.
Over the years, particularly since 2001, the UK has played a crucial role in supporting Afghanistan to rebuild itself. Throughout our partnership, the people and government of the UK have stood by their Afghan partners and have assisted Afghanistan directly in its efforts to rebuild its economy, strengthen its stability, educate its youth, and train and support its security forces. Indeed, the UK’s support and sacrifice are a fine testament of their commitment to their Afghan partners. From our shared ideals of democracy, rule of law and human rights to our common fight against international terrorism, our countries have worked closely together in facing challenges to our interests.
At this pivotal moment, I am confident that with close cooperation and support of the UK, Afghanistan will be better positioned in achieving sustainable peace, beneficial to all. My team and I hope to further strengthen this enduring partnership and develop new agreements across a number of areas of mutual interest. To this end, my primary mission will focus on further cooperation in supporting the Afghan government on; security, peace talks, humanitarian support, and economic development.
Furthermore, the embassy’s objective is the promotion of commercial diplomacy by increasing trade, establishing and facilitating contacts between business entities, and inward investment. Our aim is to promote trade and investment between Afghanistan and the United Kingdom. The Government of Afghanistan understands the critical role it must play to create a favourable environment for investment. Thus, Afghanistan offers a pro-business minded environment with legislation favourable to private investments. Afghanistan is rich in natural resources with more than 1400 identified mineral deposits, ranging from oil and gas to precious and semi-precious stones. Following the national privatisation program most of the major state-owned enterprises have been identified for international tender, which has made the entry into all these sectors easier. Additionally, given its strategic location, Afghanistan is ready to play its role as a bridge in connecting emerging markets of Central and South Asia, and the Middle East.
Serving Afghan citizens in the UK and in the Republic of Ireland is one of our main functions as an embassy. The strong community of Afghans who live here have become productive and successful members of the British and Irish society, and it will be my privilege and honour to come to know them and to represent them.
Sincerely,
Dr. Zalmai Rassoul
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary