Brussels, 28/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - In a letter to Agence Europe, the European Commission has given its response to the conclusions of the draft report by MEP Pino Arlacchi proposing a new strategy for Afghanistan (see EUROPE 10184 and 10186). The draft report strongly criticises management of European funding in Afghanistan and highlights a number of areas where international community funding is being wasted. It is particularly vehement in its condemnation of the rhetoric of European authorities which expressed their “confidence” in the way the funds were being managed.
“We do not share the conclusions of Mr Arlacchi on the excessive waste of EU funding in Afghanistan. Taking into account the complex and difficult situation that the country poses, all possible precautions are in place to manage properly EU funds in Afghanistan,” says the letter sent by a Commission spokesman. It notes that, over the period from 2007 to 2010, the European Community provided €610 million and will commit a further €600 million for the period from 2011 to 2013.
The Commission remains sceptical about the new strategy proposed by the MEP: “In light of what is already in place and agreed between the Afghan Government and the international community, both with the ANDS (Afghanistan National Development Strategy) and the national programmes coming from the recent Kabul Conference, it does not appear necessary to draw up yet another strategy for Afghanistan, as proposed by MEP Mr Arlacchi in his report. The framework is already there”. The letter also sets out the European Commission strategy: “The aim of the Action Plan is to enhance and consolidate the EU's assistance activities, whilst building on existing policies as defined by the Afghan Government. Concretely, the Action Plan entails for example more effective EU joint-messaging on a range of issues relating to the reform agenda that needs to be implemented by the Afghan Government as well as a more coordinated EU approach to funding of national programmes”. The Commission says that it will provide more detailed comments in due course and suggest amendments to the draft report. (J.I./transl.rt)