On Monday 24 July, the European Commission and the European External Action Service published a 15-page joint communication defining how the EU can work in close cooperation with civil society, the Afghan authorities and all stakeholders towards sustainable peace, consolidated democracy, fair development and social justice in Afghanistan.
This communication, which will be discussed with the member states and the European Parliament and will feed into the EU's new strategy for Afghanistan, which is expected to come out in the next few months, is based on four pillars.
The first pillar covers peace, stability and regional security. The EU aims to support and promote an inclusive peace and reconciliation process, but also the civil aspects of the reform of the security sector. It also intends to work with the Afghan government on its strategic political priorities and concerning its efforts to fight organised crime, the financing of terrorism, money laundering and the trafficking of drugs. Regional cooperation, including economic cooperation, is another priority.
Parliament hopes to reinforce work on migration, for instance by means of joint work for the full implementation of the agreements between the EU or its member states and Kabul. The communication refers to the possibility of negotiating a readmission agreement. The EU's actions will also include aid to resolve the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacements and to create an environment offering an alternative to irregular migration and allowing the permanent reintegration of returning Afghan nationals.
In terms of economic and human development, the communication calls, amongst other things, for technical cooperation for the implementation of the Afghan Agenda 2030 for sustainable development and the national peace and development framework.
Democracy, the rule of law, human rights and an increased role for women are the final pillar of the EU's work, with the aim of helping the country in its reform of the electoral system, in the fight against corruption and improving human rights. Amongst other things, the EU hopes to develop cooperation in the fight against fraud in European funding spent in Afghanistan. The communication is available at: https://eeas.europa.eu/sites/eeas/files/joint_communication_-_elements_for_an_eu_strategy_on_afghanistan_0.pdf. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)