Brussels, 18/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 17 December, the Council announced the extension - until 31 December 2016 - of the EU police mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL Afghanistan). This mission provides assistance for the Afghan civil police service to conduct its action in the framework of strengthened rule of law and in respect of human rights. The mission will prepare the ground for the gradual and lasting transfer of its task to the local authorities and to other EU instruments.
During the extended period, EUPOL will transfer its training activities to the Afghan authorities and will focus on the supply of strategic advice in the areas of institutional reform of the ministry of the interior, of making the Afghan national police more professional, and of developing links between the police and justice. The support given by the mission in the area of the rule of law and justice will come to a full halt at the end of 2015.
The Council has allocated €58 million for the period until the end of 2015. The mission, led by Swedish police commissioner Karl Ake Roghe, comprises 250 international and 200 local police officers. (CG)