Brussels, 22/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative Catherine Ashton “strongly condemns” the murder of Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani, the head of Afghanistan's High Peace Council, on Tuesday 20 September, her spokeswoman has said. Ashton praised Rabbani's “relentless efforts” in the pursuit of peace and in reaching out to the Afghan nation. She also wished a full and speedy recovery for Masoom Stanekzai, the head of the Joint Secretariat of the High Peace Council, who was injured in the attack.
Ashton expressed her “deep concern about the continued violence against Afghan officials and the Afghan Government as they are working hard to take their country towards a more secure and prosperous future”. “Such attacks only strengthen the resolve of the EU and international community at large to continue to work with the Afghan people as the nation has embarked on the path of reconciliation”, said the high representative in a press release published by her spokeswoman. (CG/transl.rt)