In his conference address, Tuomioja reminded Afghan President Hamid Karzai that peace could only be achieved in the long term through reconciliation and negotiation. He stressed that any negotiation process must include the renunciation of violence and terrorism and respect the Constitution, including the rights of women and girls.

“Coming from a Nordic country I can say, based on our experience, that the full and equal participation of women at all levels of society is not only a prerequisite for democracy and human rights, but also the key to sustainable development, economic success and social stability,” Tuomioja noted.

The Foreign Minister noted, however, Finland would not leave Afghanistan in the lurch when international forces depart from the country in 2014. Finland is to increase its overseas development aid to Afghanistan to 30 million euros.

Finland announced last week it was reducing the number of its peacekeepers in Afghanistan by 50. Their current strength stands at 195.

Finnish participation in peacekeeping operations will now concentrate on development aid projects, civilian crisis management and the training of Afghan security officials.