Federal President Joachim Gauck travelled to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for an official visit with his partner Daniela Schadt from 17 to 19 December. He arrived at Mazar-e-Sharif airport in the north of the country on 17 December. That evening, he met with German soldiers and allies as well as with police officers and development workers. In his speech before dinner, Federal President Gauck said, “I have to come to express to all of you my respect, my appreciation and my thanks. What you are doing is extraordinary. You are making huge sacrifices. You are showing courage. You are working to encourage those here in Afghanistan who want to create peace, democracy and prosperity.”

On the second day of his official visit to Afghanistan (18 December), Federal President Joachim Gauck travelled to the capital Kabul. At the Presidential Palace, he was welcomed with military honours by President Hamid Karzai. After their talks, the Afghan President presented the Federal President with the highest grade of the Afghan Order of the Sun, the greatest honour the country can bestow. After a press conference, the two Presidents had luncheon.

On 19 December, the Federal President together with Daniela Schadt and General Volker Wieker, Chief of Staff of the Federal Armed Forces, remembered the German soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan at the Bundeswehr camp in Mazar-e-Sharif. The Federal President then met with the families of US forces stationed there.

In the afternoon, the Federal President met German development workers for talks. He wanted to hear from civilian staff how they thought reconstruction was progressing. Even after the withdrawal of the Bundeswehr from the north of the country, Germany will continue to focus its substantial development cooperation on this part of Afghanistan.