The Afghan Foreign Ministry on Friday expressed appreciation to the Paris Council for honoring Afghanistan’s National Hero Ahmad Shah Massoud by naming a square after him.
The ministry said the unanimous decision by the Paris Council shows the depth of friendly ties between Afghanistan and France.
The ministry said that honoring national figures like the national hero of Afghanistan by friend countries not only deepens friendly ties between nations but also strengthens unity among countries in the world in jointly fighting terrorism, ensuring peace and stability and honoring modern and universal values.
Arnaud Ngatcha, deputy of Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and in charge of international relations said on Twitter that “Paris is the first city in the world to honor the peace veteran who fought for the freedom of Afghanistan and against the Taliban’s obscurantism.”
The proposal to commemorate Massoud in Paris was supported by his longtime friend, philosopher, intellectual and journalist Bernard-Henri Levy, according to Anadolu news agency.
“This decision is a clear testimony of the friendship that the French people have with the Afghan people for a century.
It is also a sign of great admiration and great support that French people have always had for Commander Massoud,” French ambassador in Kabul David Martinon said.
“We have to remember that it is no later than March 1980 just after the Soviet invasion that the first French doctors came to Panjshir to create a small hospital. Thanks to Ahmad Shah Massoud who welcomed them.”—Agencies
