CELEBRATION OF THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF REGAINING INDEPENDENCE OF AFGHANISTAN IN WARSAW

 On Monday, September 23rd, 2019, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Warsaw celebrated the 100th anniversary of regaining Independence of Afghanistan in the city the beautiful and historical city of Warsaw - Republic of Poland.
The historical and grand ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and some other Ministries of the Republic of Poland, dean of the diplomatic corps, Ambassadors and diplomats from the embassies of the friendly countries in Warsaw, dean of Oriental Studies Faculty, dean of Persian Language department and some other professors from the university of Warsaw and other universities of Poland, journalists from media, some citizens of Afghanistan who are residing in Warsaw, Students and members of the Embassy of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Warsaw.
At the beginning of the program, the national anthems of Afghanistan and Poland were broadcasted, afterward, his Excellency Mr. Gul Hussain Ahmadi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Republic of Poland, delivered his speech on the occasion of 100th Anniversary of Regaining Independence of Afghanistan.
The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan welcomed and expressed his thanks for participation of distinguished guests at the ceremony of celebration the centenary anniversary of the regaining independence of the Afghanistan, meanwhile he appreciated the courageous struggles and sacrifices of those of our compatriots who obtained the regaining of independence of Afghanistan under leadership of Ghazi Amanullah khan and some other freedom leadership of Afghanistan from then Britain.
The Ambassador also expressed his deepest condolences and sympathy to those, who lost members of family or friends during the recent terrorist attacks carried out by Taliban or other terrorist groups in Afghanistan.
The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Warsaw continued his speech to spoke about some of the achievements of government and people of Afghanistan in the areas of education, higher education, establishment and strengthening of institutions based on democratic values and civil rights in the country.
The ambassador of Afghanistan on the following of his speech, spoke about the historical official visit of late King Amanullah khan and Queen Soraya to the Republic of Poland in the year 1928 and spoke about some of the achievements of Afghanistan in the recent years, at the same time, he also speak about the historical and friendly relations between the two countries of Afghanistan and Poland.
At the end of the ceremony, the guests were invited for dinner meal where the tables and salons of the hotel were decorated with the National flags of Afghanistan and Poland, flowers, also with the beautiful pictures of special logo which is design for the celebration of 100th anniversary of regaining independence of Afghanistan, some other beautiful pictures from different regions of our beloved country, Afghanistan and the picture of King Amanullah khan. During the ceremony and till the end of program, slides with the pictures from the historical trip of late ghazi Amanullah Khan, former king of Afghanistan to Poland in the year 1928, slides with information about Afghanistan and the pictures from the beautiful landscapes of the country had been exhibited.
The speech of H.E. Mr. Gul Hussain Ahmadi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Warsaw, on the occasion of 100th Anniversary of regaining Independence of Afghanistan is presented as follows:
“The speech of Mr. Gul Hussain Ahmadi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Warsaw, on the occasion of the Centenary of regaining Independence of Afghanistan.
Honorable government officials, honorable members of parliament of the Republic of Poland, excellencies Ambassadors, honorable professors, distinguished guests, fellow countrymen, dear students, ladies and gentlemen!
Good evening!
It is an honor and great pleasure to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Regaining Independence of Afghanistan in this beautiful city of Warsaw.
First of all I would like to convey my thanks and appreciation for your kind participation.
One hundred years ago, on 19 August 1919, under the leadership of Ghazi Amanullah Khan and other freedom leaders, after the glorious struggles and sacrifices of our fellow countrymen, we regained the independence of our beloved country from then Britain.
After regaining Independence, King Amanullah Khan had begun some reforms in different areas in the country. The intention of said reforms in the range of politics, economy, social and foreign policy was for Afghanistan to be in the right place where the country deserved, and for the people of Afghanistan to achieve progress and development of a modern society. Unfortunately, due to the conditions existing at the time, the reforms and improvements intended by King Amanullah Khan were not achieved.
Afghanistan, because of its strategic location as a crossroad and heart of Asia, has witnessed many ups and downs over the past hundred years - especially in the last four decades; Afghanistan was invaded by communism and international terrorism.
Nonetheless, the freedom loving people of Afghanistan courageously struggled and resisted against the aggressions of communism and international terrorism, defending the country and homeland by sacrificing their valuable lives. Undoubtedly, our people's struggle for freedom has been engraved in letters of gold in the history of our country. I take this opportunity to salute the pure souls of those who lost their precious lives for the freedom and social justice of the country. I also convey my deepest condolences to those of our countrymen, who lost members of their family or friends in terrorist attacks carried out by Taliban and other terrorist groups during recent years.
New Afghanistan with bright future
In recent years, Afghanistan has made progress in building and strengthening institutions based on democratic values and civil rights. Today, Afghanistan has millions of students, including girls and boys, in schools, more than one hundred and fifty public and private universities, hundreds of thousands of students and graduates from universities in Afghanistan and abroad, including the University of Warsaw and other universities in Poland. 
The new Afghanistan has free and independent media and has taken great steps toward implementation of civil rights, political participation of women, women’s rights and freedom of speech. What is more, the presidential election is going to be held on 28 September 2019, exactly five days from now, with the participation of 16 presidential candidates.
To bring long lasting peace and stability to the country is a priority for the Leadership of National Unity Government and for the people of Afghanistan, while maintaining the achievements obtained during the past 18 years in the areas of democracy, republic, and the rights of our people. Hence, Afghanistan’s future is bright and it belongs to the people of Afghanistan.
We are happy to see the political parties in Afghanistan, as well as our friends from the International Community, are also sharing their contribution for bringing peace in Afghanistan. We are also grateful for Poland’s contribution to support Afghanistan.
Afghanistan and Poland Relations
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen!
Afghanistan and Poland have historical and friendly relations. The first Friendship Treaty between Afghanistan and Poland was signed on 3 November 1927.
The relations between the two countries, based on mutual respect and mutual interests, have been developing and strengthening over the past nine decades in different areas.
As I have mentioned before, the late Amanullah Khan, who was a progressive and a freedom loving king of Afghanistan, tried to terminate the isolation of Afghanistan in the areas of economy, politics, as well as foreign policy. He wanted to see Afghanistan, alongside with other freedom loving nations of the world, to achieve progress and prosperity.
Therefore, he made historical trips to European countries - including Poland. King Amanullah Khan, along with Queen Soraya, made an official visit to the Republic of Poland in April 1928, about five months after the signing of the Friendship Treaty between the two countries. They were warmly welcomed by the then President and the friendly people of Poland.
I would like also to mention that, in recent years, we had many high level and senior officials meetings between Afghanistan and Poland for strengthening and expanding the cooperation between the two countries.
Further to the other meetings; in November, last year, a political consultation meeting was held between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan and Poland, in Kabul and a delegation from Afghanistan participated in the COP24 in Katawice, in December 2018.
I am glad that last year I have participated in the historical celebrations of the 100th anniversary of regaining independence of the Republic of Poland. As today, we are celebrating the centenary of regaining Independence of Afghanistan.
I would like to emphasize that there are more opportunities and great potential for strengthening and expanding the cooperation on bilateral relations and on international level between Afghanistan and Poland.
In conclusion, I convey my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of 100th anniversary of regained Independence of Afghanistan to all our dear compatriots at home and abroad.
I also express my best wishes of success and more prosperity for Afghanistan, Poland and to all our distinguished guests.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Warsaw-Poland - Dated: 23th of September 2019”