By Xinhua
Stockholm : Kai Eide, a veteran diplomat in the Norwegian foreign ministry, has emerged as a leading candidate to be the UN special envoy to Afghanistan, according to reports reaching here from Oslo.
Eide confirmed to the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten Tuesday that his name is on the list of candidates to be the new UN envoy in Kabul.
“If an offer comes, it would be natural to discuss it first with my family, the foreign minister (Jonas Gahr Store) and others directly affected,” Eide told Aftenposten.
An appointment of Eide could further Norway’s goal that the UN take on a much more active role in Afghanistan, with more authority over the rebuilding of the war-torn nation, the Norwegian newspaper said.
Jan Egeland, a former vice secretary general of the UN, said Eide did a good job in the Balkans and has experience working with the UN and the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe).
“He has a very good network on both sides of the Atlantic and in several international organisations. I would think that he also has the confidence of the Afghan authorities,” Jan Egeland was quoted as saying.