Brussels, 06/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - Francesco Sequi, EU Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, called on Tuesday 6 October for the EU police mission (EUPOL Afghanistan) to be bolstered. He stressed the vital role played by the EU police force, launched in June 2007, in stabilisation of the country. “I appeal to you - help us to step up the EUPOL mission”, Mr Sequi said, addressing the members of the European Parliament committee on foreign affairs. In 2008, member states undertook to double the number of police deployed in the mission from 200 to 400 but this figure is far from being reached, Sequi explained. With “270 international policemen” on the ground at the moment, EUPOL is clearly “understaffed”, he said. The special representative, who had arrived in Kabul the day before, also tackled the presidential electoral process still underway. “The EU supports the electoral process, not a candidate”, he said. He hoped the Election Complaint Commission (ECC), which is still examining a number of complaints, will rapidly announce the official result of the ballot as, “a second round, if needed, should take place no later than October due to the winter conditions” and “electoral fatigue” of the Afghan people must also be taken into account, he said. It is also important that Afghanistan should rapidly have a “competent, credible and committed government”, he asserted, also speaking of the lack of security which considerably complicates all efforts to stabilise and develop the country. The fight against insecurity must, of course, have a very strong military dimension but, Sequi said, the socio-economic dimension should not be forgotten. “We need to win the hearts and minds of the Afghans but also their stomachs”, he said. Reconciliation and inclusion of insurgents is another important aspect. “Yes we must also speak with the Taliban” and “include” them in the process, as long as “red lines” are respected, especially respect for the Afghan constitution which, among other things, guarantees equality between men and women and respect of human rights, Mr Sequi said. (H.B./transl.jl)