Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, Jan. 23 (VNA) -- The Vietnamese Government has pledged an aid package worth USD 300,000 to Afghanistan's reconstruction.

The aid, including food, medicines, and other essential necessities, was announced by Deputy Foreign Minister, Le Cong Phung, at the ministeral conference for reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan in Tokyo, Japan, on Jan. 21 and 22.

The Deputy FM expressed Viet Nam's readiness to cooperate with other countries and international organisations in contributing to the reconstruction of war-ravaged Afghanistan. He also expressed the Vietnamese people's sympathies to the Afghans over the losses they suffered and the difficulties they must overcome.

During the conference, he had meetings with the head delegates of other countries to the conference, including members of the interim Afghan government. Their discussions focussed on issues of mutual concern.

At the conference, the 61 countries and 21 international organisations participating pledged USD 4.5 billion to Afghanistan's national reconstruction process, including more than USD 1.8 billion for this year.--VNA