Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander today issued the following statement on the inauguration of Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai as president of Afghanistan:

“Canada warmly congratulates Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai on the occasion of his inauguration as president of Afghanistan and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah on his appointment as chief executive officer. We look forward to working with both leaders as they form a government of national unity.

“We hope that this historic transfer of power from one president to the next will reassure the Afghan people that their commitment to the democratic process has been respected, and that the new unity government will advance the Afghan national interest, rebuild the Afghan economy for women and men, and fulfill the promise of the Afghan constitution for all Afghans through this crucial period of transition and transformation.

“This inauguration is another milestone in Afghanistan’s transition to becoming more secure, more prosperous and self-sufficient. Canadians are rightly proud of the sacrifices and support we have provided for well over a decade—for freedom, justice and peace for all Afghans. Canada will continue to support the Afghan people and their new government as they move forward to build the brighter future their children so greatly deserve.”

src:news.gc.ca