Afghanistan and Australia celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations

Afghanistan and Australia shared a long history of people to people relation since the first Afghan cameleers arrived in the 1860s to help built Australia. This foundation has led both the governments to open bilateral diplomatic relations.

Afghanistan and Australia celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations Source: Google

In 1969, Mr. L. H. Broder was a high commissioner to Pakistan, presented his credential as the Australian Ambassador to Afghanistan.

Afghanistan opened its first consulate in Canberra in 1994.

Speaking with SBS Pashto, the Deputy Afghan Ambassador Mohammad Ateeq Zaki says, the bilateral relationship between the two countries is stronger than ever.

Mr. Zaki says Australia is providing annually around $180 millions of aid to Afghanistan.

On the issue of Afghan asylum seekers in Australia, Mr. Zaki says the Afghan Embassy is closely monitoring the situation and is in constant contact with the relevant authorities to make sure that Afghans get their rights.

Mr. Zaki has also said that since 2017 not a single Afghan has been deported back to Afghanistan.

Please listen to the full interview here.