Afghanistan: new EU strategy - European External Action Service - eeas.europa.eu

16/10/2017 - 14:44
EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs today approved a new EU strategy on Afghanistan, reconfirming the EU's and member states' long-term commitment to promoting peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan and to support its sustainable development.

The EU new strategy on Afghanistan, adopted today by the ministers of foreign affairs from all 28 EU member states, focuses on four priority areas: promoting peace, stability and regional security, reinforcing democracy, the rule of law and human rights and promoting good governance and women's empowerment, supporting economic and human development, addressing challenges related to migration.

In recent years, Afghanistan has been confronted with a number of challenges that threaten the progress made in its economic and social development and its democratic institutions. The European Union recognises that the delicate security situation and the fragile economic situation the country is facing, combined with a clear determination on the part of the Afghan authorities to implement much-needed reforms necessitates renewed attention from the international community.

Announcing the Joint Communication which set out the main elements of the EU Strategy in July, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini said: "The Afghan people deserve peace and prosperity. As the European Union, we have been standing by them and will continue to do so, in support of the reform process, of Afghanistan's democratic path, of the rule of law and human rights, and of bringing peace to the country, to the benefit not only of all Afghans but also of the entire region and the international community as a whole. This work towards peace needs to be led by Afghans and owned by Afghans, but the active support of the region and of the international community is crucial. The Afghan people can count on the European Union to accompany this process.”

As part of the EU Strategy, the EU will work in close cooperation with civil society, the Afghan authorities, and all stakeholders, towards lasting peace, a consolidated democracy, equitable development and social justice in Afghanistan.

The new Strategy is the latest illustration of the European Union's strong engagement in and strong commitment to Afghanistan. Notably, it follows the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan, held in October 2016 in Brussels, the signing of a new EU-Afghanistan Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development in February 2017, and the appointment of a Special Envoy to Afghanistan in June. -  Read More

Afghanistan: new EU strategy - European External Action Service

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