Brussels, 03/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - In the presence of Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, the chief European and Afghan negotiators initialled the cooperation agreement on partnership and development (CAPD) between the EU and Afghanistan in Kabul on Thursday 2 July.
“Much progress has been made over the past 13 years, but many challenges remain for Afghanistan on the road ahead. The European Union has always been on the side of the Afghan people, and with the cooperation agreement (…) our relations will be strengthened”, said High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, underlining the EU's engagement in projects on human rights, anti-corruption and alternatives to drug cultivation. “Thanks to this agreement, we will deepen our cooperation with the Afghan authorities to support sustainable development and a stable democratic country for all Afghans”, she added.
The cooperation agreement will be the first official contractual framework governing cooperation between the EU and Afghanistan. Based on the EU's strategy for Afghanistan 2014-2016, and on initiatives from previous international conferences, this agreement will enable bilateral relations to be developed in economic and political areas - incorporating cooperation on the rule of law, health, rural development, education and science and technology, as well as measures to fight corruption, money laundering, terrorist financing, organised crime and narcotics.
The cooperation agreement will also enable the two partners to deal jointly with issues of common concern, such as nuclear security, non-proliferation and climate change. Emphasis will be placed on holding regular political dialogue, including on human rights issues - in particular, the rights of women and children. (Emmanuel Hagry)