Brussels, 18/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - Monday's External Relations Council called on the EU High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana, as well as on the European Commission, to submit proposals with a view to adopting a new general framework for relations between the European Union and Afghanistan for the period after parliamentary and provincial elections on 18 September this year. These elections are vitally important for the country's democratic development and the EU will “do its utmost to monitor” the voting, the 25 foreign ministers state in the conclusions adopted on Monday. A European Union Election Observer Mission will be deployed in the country from end July, in order to monitor the electoral campaign. Several member nations will even send troops with the express authorisation of the United Nations and under NATO command, ministers say in their conclusions. The EU remains committed to supporting the Afghan government and people with a view to the stabilisation, security and reconstruction of Afghanistan. The EU is also ready to increase its commitments in favour of reconstruction and the development of institutions and democratic structures in the country (institution-building), including the strengthening of the rule of law, public administration, the police and the judiciary. The EU also supports, above all, the National Drugs Control Strategy and the 2005 Counter-Narcotics Implementation Plan.