Ottawa- July 31, 2021

 

Ambassador Hassan Soroosh participated and spoke at a virtual conference on Afghanistan and regional cooperation which was organized by the Schiller Institute.

 

Ambassador Soroosh spoke about the vision of Afghanistan for reviving Afghanistan’s centrality as a hub for regional and inter-regional connectivity facilitating the flow of energy, goods, services, data and knowledge at a wider continental level. Ambassador Soroosh outlined the ongoing efforts and key Afghanistan-centered regional projects under RECCA and HoA-IP and highlighted the important role of Afghanistan as a crucial partner for building a common economic future for the peoples across the wider Eurasian region.

 

Speaking about the current situation in Afghanistan and the many atrocities committed by the Taliban and foreign terrorist groups in the country, Ambassador Soroosh stated that “our collective efforts and achievements over the past two decades in deepening connectivity and regional cooperation are now being threatened by a narrative of violence and destruction that apparently rejects our common narrative of cooperation, friendship and partnership.”

 

Other speakers from the Schiller Institute and experts from the wider region spoke about various aspects of regional engagement and the importance of regional cooperation and connectivity for the future of Afghanistan and the entire region.