Development Minister Bert Koenders has said he is proud of the Netherlands' achievements in Uruzgan province in Afghanistan. Speaking to Radio Netherlands Worldwide on a visit to the area he said that there was hardly any prosperity in the poor, underdeveloped province before the arrival of Dutch troops.

Mr Koenders says that recent years have brought the people of Uruzgan a lot of development. "It's a difference of day and night. I'm quite proud of that," the minister said.

Mr Koenders was in Camp Holland, the Dutch base in Uruzgan, where he spoke to local authorities and to representatives of non-governmental organisations. He also paid a visit to the town of Chora, where he made a heavily guarded one-hour walk, talking to locals.

Mr Koenders said he hoped aid to Uruzgan will be continued at the same level even after the Netherlands withdraws its troops, which is scheduled for August 2010. The approximately 50 aid organisations in the city of Tarin Kowt will have to set up co-operation with other armies instead of with the Dutch. The transfer should be carefully planned and executed, Mr Koenders emphasised.

The Dutch minister also went to the Afghan capital Kabul, where he spoke to the US ambassador. It is expected that the United States will soon have a more prominent role in Uruzgan. In talks with Afghan ministers Mr Koenders hammered on the necessity of eradicating corruption.