Thank you, dear colleague.
Mine-clearing is essential for the Afghan people to safely cultivate their land. During the current fiscal year, we have invested a little more than $30 million in clearing land mines. You must not forget that Afghanistan was one of the countries with the largest number of mines. We want to help with the reconstruction and the development of these countries, but we must first ensure that the land is safe.
The government feels that one of the most effective ways to meet our objectives in Afghanistan is to increase development aid. However, even if we improve the safety in this country, we must also provide the Afghan people with other alternatives.
That is why aid to Afghanistan was increased a first time in May 2006 and more recently in the budget, an extra $200 million contribution was announced. That will help us to provide assistance to the government of Afghanistan. We are in that country at the government's request, and we are helping to develop the country's institutions, strengthen its structures and provide direct aid to its people.