Brussels, 19/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - The General Affairs Council welcomed the recent developments in Afghanistan and issued its opinion of the political, humanitarian and economic consequences of the fall of the Taliban. The EU warned the new Afghan leaders that "responsible behaviour", respecting human rights and international humanitarian law, would be a determining factor for the aid that the European Union is prepared to provide for rebuilding the country. Louis Michel, President of the Council of Ministers, argued that responsible behaviour means helping set up a legitimate government that represents all the Afghan tribes.
The French Foreign Minister, Hubert Védrine, said that the warning was not about setting conditions, but was voiced in the hope of having a positive impact, adding that it did not concern humanitarian aid which was an "absolute priority" for the EU. The Council is calling on the United Nations and international financial bodies to draw up an economic, social and institutional plan for the longer term "promoting the role of women in Afghan society". A meeting is being organised in Washington on Tuesday to this effect. In terms of installing a new regime in Kabul, the Council again voices its full support for the efforts by the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative to quickly set up a transition government. The Council called on the Northern Alliance to put out the stops in favour of an agreement with the political forces involved in the process. The Council decided to appoint a Special Representative for Afghanistan, working under the authority of the High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, but has not yet decided who that should be. Germany is reported to have proposed Mr Kleiber from NATO.