First Visit by the Minister of Defence to Afghanistan

 

The minister reviewed the formation in Afghanistan (Photo:Ministry of Defence)

The minister of Defence greets the Spanish service personnel (Photo:Ministry of Defence)

The visitors attend a presentation on the situation (Photo:Ministry of Defence)
 

The minister of Defence, Mr. Pedro Morenés, today has thanked the Spanish service personnel deployed in Afghanistan for the ‘extraordinary labour’ that they are carrying out, as well as having conveyed to them  a message from the secretary general of NATO, Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, in which he recognises the ‘merit, usefulness and dedication’ with which they undertake their work.  During his address, Mr. Pedro Morenés has also pointed out. ‘Spain is being constructed there and it is being constructed here; you are honouring your country’. 

In his first visit to the Spanish forces deployed in Herat and Qala-i-Naw, the minister of Defence has been accompanied by the Joint Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Fernando García, and the Chief of the Army Staff, Army General Fulgencio Coll, among other authorities.

On the Forward Support Base in Herat, Mr. Pedro Morenés has held a meeting with the Spanish servicepersons and has visited the installations, outstanding among which are the ROLE 2 hospital and the Flight Unit. 
 

Upon arrival at the airport in Qala-i-Naw, the minister has been received by the commander of the Provincial Reconstruction Team, Colonel García Cortijo. Then, he has met with the governor of Badghis province, Mr. Delbar Jan Arman, and other local figures.  The delegation then transferred inside Base ‘Ruy González de Clavijo’, to tour the installations, visit a materiel exhibition and gain updated firsthand knowledge on the mission.  After signing the Guest Book, the minister of Defence has brought to a close his visit of Qala-i-Naw.