Brussels, 10/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - In Brussels on Thursday 9 December, the ministers of the EU27 with responsibility for development issues reiterated their commitment to a long-term development programme for Afghanistan. This will be achieved by focusing efforts on developing the capability of the Afghan state to take on its major responsibilities.
“We heard from the EU Special Representative Vygaudas Usackas. The EU's aid programme for 2011-2013 earmarks €200 million a year, but the government must honour its commitment in terms of reform. It must be accountable. We are going to adapt our aid to the priorities of the Afghan government”, Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told the press.
The ministers stressed the importance of improving coordination between Europeans and ensuring proper coordination between the EU embassy to Kabul (which has only just become operational after the merger of the bureau of the special representative of the EU and the delegation of the Commission), the special representative of Ban Ki-moon and the NATO civil representative. The exchange of views on Afghanistan focused solely on development issues, whilst Monday's Foreign Affairs Council will tackle the political issues. (A.N./transl.fl)