Brussels, 18/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Sunday 17 May, the European Union criticised the second terrorist attack in Kabul in a week. The attack killed three people - including a member of the protection team of the EU police mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL) - and wounded around ten others - including two members of EUPOL's staff. Their vehicle was involved in the attack, which took place near the airport. The police mission was previously targeted in a Taliban attack in early January (see EUROPE 11223). The head of the EUPOL mission, Pia Stjernvall, described the attack as “tragic and cowardly”.
“The Afghan government needs to ensure that those responsible for the attack are brought to justice”, said High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini in a press release. Stjernvall gave assurances that this “appalling crime will not stop EUPOL from continuing its support to the people and government of Afghanistan”. “We are as committed as ever to Afghanistan and will go on to work with our Afghan and international partners for a safer Afghanistan”, she added.
“We will continue in our engagement for security, development and the respect and improvement of the rights of all”, Mogherini added, reiterating the EU's cooperation with Kabul. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)