Brussels, 09/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 8 December, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton confirmed that the EU would continue to support Afghanistan during the transition period and beyond, at her meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul. “This long-term commitment will be based on the principle of mutual commitments”, she added.
The EU head of diplomacy and the foreign minister discussed the regional situation of Afghanistan and stressed that the stability of the country and its development “will be in the interests of all of the regional partners”. “The EU will continue its efforts to reinforce regional cooperation”, Ashton stated.
Ashton explained that Rassoul had stated that his government would continue to work on strengthening the country's democratic institutions. “In this context, we agreed that the role of women in Afghanistan and their participation in public life merits particular attention”, she added.
The high representative also expressed her sadness and concern at the attacks in the country on Tuesday 6 at a procession observing the Shi'ite festival of Ashura and which left 55 people dead. (CG/transl.fl)