UAE has been extending every possible help to Afghanistan, hit by Taliban war, unrest and bombardment by western nations led by USA. UAE Foreign Minister HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan offered a grant of US$
250 million for reconstruction projects in Afghanistan.

The grant would be managed by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and it would be used for the development of widows and disabled persons, as well as rehabilitation of the capital, Kabul and other cities.

Sharing his views at a joint press conference with his Afghan counterpart Zalmay Rasoul during the two-day first meeting of the UAE-Afghanistan joint committee, Sheikh Abduullah added, ''The grant is part of an aid package the UAE is offering to Afghanistan and it is a vote of confidence on the Afghan government for the achievements it has made despite the challenging circumstances it has experienced.''

He backed strong diplomatic and trade relation with two nations and hoped more help from international community for supporting development programmes in Afghanistan.

Sheikh Abdullah expressed satisfaction over his meeting with Afgan leader and proudly announced historic relations between two nations.