We want to contribute in rebuilding Afghanistan, says German Envoy

New Delhi, Oct 4 (ANI): German Ambassador to India, Thomas Matussek, has said that Germany would play a larger role in the reconstruction efforts directed towards the Afghan civilians, apart from providing military assistance.

Ambassador Matussek, who was present at the 21st Anniversary Celebrations of German reunification held in New Delhi on Monday, in an exclusive interview to Asian News International (ANI) said: "Hopefully, much more on the civilian side than on the military side."

Though Germany and Afghanistan have always maintained cordial ties, military operations have continued undeterred in the war zone for over a decade.

About ten years ago, the US and its allies attacked Afghanistan with the September 11 attack on the US twin towers in 2001 serving as a catalyst.

Meanwhile, to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and Germany, the country has organised a 15-month long event series, showcasing the entire spectrum of Indo-German collaboration in the fields of politics, business, culture, education, science and research.

Germany celebrated the 21st anniversary of its reunification after four decades of Cold War, as the reunification of East and West Germany is a mark of victory over dictatorship

"We take this 60 years anniversary to put the limelight on the enormous achievement, which are already there because if you add German high technology and Indian creativity, there is really no limit, there are infinite opportunities like we say in the motto of this German year and we concentrate on these complex issues of urbanisation," said Matussek.

West and East Germany were united on October 03, 1990, less than 11 months after the east opened the Berlin Wall.

Germany is the third-largest troop contributor with around 4,800 troops based in the north, which has seen a spike in violence over the past year. The war, which faces widespread opposition among Germans, has already brought down the chief of the armed forces, a cabinet minister and the president. (ANI)