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Archived Document
Priority 4. Enhance border security, with facilitation of bilateral dialogue between Afghan and Pakistani authorities.
The Canadian objective for border security is that, by the end of 2011, Afghan institutions, in cooperation with Pakistan, will exercise stronger capacity to manage the border and foster economic development in the border area.
Canada is part of a major effort by the international community to improve the security of Afghanistan’s border by working to assist the Government of Afghanistan with the development of better governance in the border regions.
The Dubai Process Action Plan is a March 2009 joint Afghanistan-Pakistan document outlining activities that will promote cooperation in the areas of counter-narcotics, law enforcement, managing the movement of people and customs. The Dubai Process has come to be recognized as an established mechanism for dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan on border management.
The fifth round of Dubai Process discussions took place in November. The governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan each committed to harmonizing their border infrastructure plans at the Torkham crossing. They also worked to facilitate trade and travel through the Khyber Pass, which is the most important road link between the two countries.
With support from Canada and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Afghanistan opened its first Border Liaison Office in this quarter. This will promote improved law enforcement at the Torkham crossing.
The Afghan National Customs Academy graduated its fourth class of students in this quarter, bringing the total number of customs officers trained to 201. This is the final graduating class to have received training from the Canada Border Services Agency. The Agency’s support for the Academy has included provision of a deputy dean and senior trainer, curriculum development including an Afghan-specific Senior Management Training Course, and training and mentoring. Over the past year, the Agency has mentored three Afghans to become trainers so that they can assume key roles at the Academy. In November, the Agency also delivered a Senior Management Training Course that built leadership capacity within senior levels of the Afghan Customs Department.
Coordination with Afghan and U.S. partners on establishing a border crossing at Weish continued in this quarter; construction is expected to be completed later in 2011. Further discussion of the G8 Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Region Prosperity Initiative remained on hold while Pakistan focused on relief and reconstruction after the devastating floods. Facilitation of the initiative was transferred to France as the G8 President in 2011.
