Brussels, 13/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - The 68 national delegations and 17 international institutions met in Paris on 12 June for a conference in support of Afghanistan, aimed at maintaining the international community's contribution to the country's development. The amount pledged by donors exceeds $20 billion. This sum will contribute to the 5-year plan, presented by President Hamid Karzaï, for the development of the country's infrastructure and for the rebuilding and security of education and agriculture. UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon, however, also urged the Afghan government to take measures to combat corruption.
The United States has announced that it will contribute $10.2 billion over the next two years, the United Kingdom has pledged $1.2 billion over five years, and the World Bank has pledged up to $1.1 billion over three years. Canada plans to contribute $600 million over three years and Japan $550 million. At the meeting in Paris, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, External Relations Commissioner, confirmed the Commission's commitment of €610 million between 2007 and 2010. This package is dedicated to rural development and health programmes, and is also for reform of the judiciary. The Commission will thus also continue to finance, on one hand, the fund specifically allocated for public law and order and in particular for police training (LOFTA) and, on the other, the trust fund for the rebuilding of Afghanistan in favour of provincial governance. (A.B./transl.jl)