Brussels, 31/01/2000 (Agence Europe) - On 24 January, the EU Council adopted a new Common Position on Afghanistan, which replaces that of 25 January 1999, which is therefore repealed (the new text is published in the Official Journal of 26 January, L21). In its Common Position, the Council gives the Union's aims which, it states, plans, once there is lasting peace, to contribute to the reconstruction of the country after years of civil war. In particular, the EU states that: