Summary The Swedish government has decided to increase its aid to Afghanistan by more than 40 percent.
STOCKHOLM (AP) - The Swedish government says it will increase its aid to Afghanistan by more than 40 percent from 2015-2019.
Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson said Thursday that the government plans to raise its aid to Afghanistan to around 850 million Swedish kronor ($130 million) a year in the five-year period, from the current 600 million kronor a year.
She says the aid will be used to uphold current Swedish efforts in Afghanistan to promote education, democracy, human rights and equality. It will also be used for new priorities such as increasing employment, improving economic integration, and developing the private sector and rural areas.
Sweden had previously pledged long-standing support for Afghanistan, saying it will keep about 200 soldiers in the country after most foreign troops leave next year.
