On March 18, President Hamid Karzai addressed students and teachers on the progress Afghanistan has made and the relations between Afghanistan and Germany in the areas of science and economy at the Bochum University.

The President said, “Education is of crucial importance to progress of Afghanistan and the cooperation of Germany’s scientific institutions will help Afghanistan make more progress.”

The President expressed satisfaction at the re-establishment of working relationship between Afghan Universities and German scientific institutions.

The President invited Afghan students studying at Bochum University to return to their country after their graduation, and to take part in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Head of Bochum University said, “After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, relations between Afghan Universities and German institutions were severed, but fortunately this relationship has been restored and your trip to Germany will further strengthen it.”