A letter of thanks to his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, was sent by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, for Greece’s contribution to the work of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which was developed in Afghanistan, according to with diplomatic sources.
In particular, Anthony Blinken acknowledges in his letter the valuable contribution of the approximately 3,300 members of the Greek Armed Forces, who served, at times, both in ISAF and later in the Resolute Support Mission.
He also singled out the Greek Armed Forces, citing a number of successful activities, such as carrying out key infrastructure projects at Kabul airport, providing humanitarian aid, and security and defense operations.
Finally, there is an explicit reference to the fact that Greece is a stable ally of the United States In this context, the vital cooperation that will continue in the future, based on the common values ​​that govern the two countries, is highly valued, as stated by the same sources.
Afghanistan: Public universities reopen
Some public universities in Afghanistan reopened today for the first time since August, when the Taliban occupied Kabul.
In fact, a few female students were found in the amphitheaters in classes that, according to the authorities, will not be mixed.
Only private universities have so far been licensed to operate in September, but have separate courses for men and women.
Students today returned to public universities in at least three provinces – Lagman, Nangarhar and Helmand – according to AFP correspondents.
“It’s a joyous time to go back to our lessons, but we are still worried that the Taliban might stop them,” said Zalrasta Hakmal, a law and political science student at Nangarhar University.
In Mahtarlam, in front of Lagman University, very few students had gathered today.
“Everyone can come. From 08:00 to 12:00 the lessons are for women and from 13:00 to 16:00 for men “said a university employee who wished to remain anonymous because he had not received permission to speak to journalists.
Only six women, wearing burqas or niqabs, entered the university, which is guarded by Taliban militants, during the first hour.
Before Islamists came to power, men and women in Afghanistan studied together.
“At the moment we have very little information,” explained Malik Samadi, a 23-year-old mathematics student. “We were told that the lessons would be conducted according to sharia” of Islamic law.
Public universities reopened today in Laghman, Nangarhar, Helmand, Nimroz, Farah and Kandahar provinces. On February 26, they will reopen in the 28 other provinces of Afghanistan, the authorities pointed out.
The UN mission in Afghanistan on Monday described the reopening of universities as “something really important” for the country.
The resumption of classes at Afghanistan’s public universities comes after talks between the Taliban and Western diplomats in Oslo ended in late January.
Western countries are demanding the release of millions of dollars in aid to Afghanistan, which has been frozen since the rise of the Taiwanese government, and respect for human rights.
Afghanistan is mired in a deep humanitarian crisis, with famine threatening more than half the country’s population, according to the UN.
The Taliban claim to have become more moderate than when they were in power (1996-2001), when they banned all protests and violated human rights.
However, this time too, shortly after taking power, they restricted the rights of women and girls.
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