On June 22nd, H.E. Khaled Ahmad Zekriya, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Rome - Italy met with H.E. Faisal Bin Sattam Bin Abdulaziz, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Italy. The two talked about the Afghanistan Peace Process, the upcoming Global Coalition Against Daesh's Rome Summit and discussed areas of mutual cooperation between the two missions here in Italy.

H.E Khaled Ahmad Zekriya, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Rome - Italy, met with H.E. Li Junhua, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Rome.

At first, Ambassador of Afghanistan thanked China for their persistent support towards Afghanistan, and subsequently the two sides discussed the Afghan Peace Process as well as the expected ‘End State’ of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in these negotiations, further enhancement of the bilateral ties and mutual cooperation between the two missions here in Rome, Italy.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

Ambassador Salarzai,

General Salavatore Camporeale,

General Salavatore Annigliato,

General Giorgio Battisti,

General Akbari,

Colonel Kohistani,

Colonel Noori,

Colonel Taheri,

Advisor Faisal,

Dear Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening and welcome to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Once again, I would like to express my warmest congratulations to you all for June 2^nd-the auspicious occasion of your Republic Day. As you may all know, this year the Afghans and the Italians share an important historical landmark date—June 3^rd—namely the 100^th Year Anniversary of the Establishment of Bilateral Ties between Italy and Afghanistan, which took place on June 3rd, 1921. However, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, both the embassy of Italy in Kabul and our embassy here Rome, had no other choice, but to postpone the celebration of the 100th centennial. Our embassy in Rome is planning to have the 100th Year Anniversary Celebration along with our National Independence Day during the first week of October, that is if the COVID-19 pandemic does not become an impeding constraint for holding this grand event. Hence, it would be an honor to have you all at this upcoming grand event in October.

Distinguished Guest,

In the last two decades, Italy’s proactive involvement in the development of the Afghanistan and military and security assistance, including the training and education by the esteemed Institute for Advanced Defense Studies (IASD) for ANDSF, is indicative of this fraternal and enduring strategic partnership between our two nations.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, the people and the government of Italy for the sacrifices that you have rendered both in blood and treasure in Afghanistan.

Tonight, I also would like to echo the sentiment of some of our past and current graduate students from IASD that are here with us. It is our view that it would be helpful if for the future military students, including Afghans, before joining the training in IASD, a one-year Italian Proficiency course could be provided. This way, we strongly believe that the students will be better equipped to not only be more proactive and deliberative at IASD, but also it would take some of the burden off their shoulders while writing and defending their thesis. Hence, am at your disposal in term of cooperating with IASD in terms of putting forth this proposal to the Ministry of Defense of Italy.

Dear Friends,

At this juncture, I would like to draw your attention to two important issues that pertains to Afghanistan. First, if you recall in 2014 at the last phase of transfer of military operation responsibilities from NATO to ANDSF, there was the same time of concern amongst our regional and international allies that ANDSF will not be able to hold the military ground against the terrorist groups in Afghanistan. Here we are, after 7 years, we continue to successfully conduct 98 percent of all the military and security operations by our own. This is De Ja Vous, because we are again witnessing this sense of uncertainty and pessimism that after the total NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan on September 11 of this year, ANDSF will not be able to overcome the military challenge against the Taliban and their affiliated in the battleground in Afghanistan!! Well, rest be assured that for us this is another test like the previous one, which we will certainly overcome again with utmost success. Please remember, as we have shared gains in Afghanistan, we must also continue to share the burden of defeating transnational terrorism in Afghanistan. Second, contrary to popular belief, I want you to know that we the Afghans stand united as a one resilient and brave nation to protect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of our country. No one should ever question the strength and unity of our nation both in pursuance of peace as well as in protection of our country.

Therefore, for Afghanistan to prevail in its effort toward peace, it is imperative for all of us to embrace confidence and unity in protecting our shared gains such as the protection of the Republic, Democratic values and institutions such as ANDSF as well as vehemently defend human rights and women rights in Afghanistan.

Thank you.

The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Rome, 

H.E. Khaled Ahmad Zekriya’s remarks about June 2^nd—Italy’s Republic Day—and June 3^rd, 2021, the 100^th Year Anniversary of the Establishment of Bilateral Ties between Italy and Afghanistan

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

Dear Italians and Afghans,

On behalf of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Rome, Italy, once again, I would like to express my warmest congratulations to the great people and government of Italy on the auspicious occasion of the Republic Day, where on June 2nd, 1946, the Italians through a referendum, expressed their will in choosing a Republic over a Monarchy in Italy. For us, the Afghans, we can relate to Italy’ choice in establishing and celebrating their Republic as a national heritage, as we too, have embarked in protecting our own Islamic Republic and the democratic gains of the last two decades in Afghanistan.

This year, the Afghans and the Italians also share another important historical landmark date—June 3^rd—the 100^th Year Anniversary of the Establishment of Bilateral Ties between Italy and Afghanistan, which took place on June 3rd, 1921. In fact, Italy was among the first Countries to recognize the newly independent Afghanistan. This historical bond between our two nations were further consolidated by the hospitality offered to Afghanistan’s King Amanullah, the founder of our independence, and the last king and Father of the Nation, King Zahir Shah as well as to tens of thousands of Afghans making Italy their home.

In the last two decades, Italy’s proactive involvement in the development of the Afghanistan as well as military and security assistance, which finally led to the signing of the bilateral strategic partnership agreement in 2012, is indicative of this fraternal and enduring relationship between our two nations.

At this juncture, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people and government of Italy for the sacrifices they have rendered both in blood and treasure in Afghanistan.

In view of the pandemic, despite the encouraging developments around the world, both the esteemed embassy of Italy in Kabul and our embassy here Rome, had no other choice, but to postpone the celebration of the 100^th centennial. Our embassy in Rome is planning to have the 100^th Year Anniversary Celebration along with our National Independence Day during the first week of October, that is if the COVID-19 pandemic does not become an impeding constraint for holding this grand event.

Lastly, we believe that is time for our international and regional partners to stand united as we the Afghans, as a resilient and courageous nation also stand united and ready under one flag in support Afghanistan’s National Defense and Security Forces to pursue peace, and at the same time, protect the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Afghanistan, including safeguarding our republic and democratic achievement of the last two decades. Hence, it is imperative for all of us that instead of uncertainty, we must embrace confidence and unity in protecting our shared gains in Afghanistan.

Thank you.

June 3, 2021

On Friday, May 28th, H.E. Ambassador Khaled Ahmad Zekriya met with Ambassador Mario Arvelo, Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to Rome based United Nations Agencies. Further coordination in the activities of RBAs, particularly those of FAO, as well as other multilateral issues were discussed.