EC supports policy dialogue on displaced Afghans in Pakistan and Iran

The European Commission and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are co-hosting a high-level meeting in Brussels on 15/16 February, to discuss the continuing plight of displaced Afghans in Pakistan and Iran, and to look for comprehensive solutions to the question of Afghan displacement and migration.

These strategic consultations will bring together the governments of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, donor countries, and other interested parties. The Commission will be represented by Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Director-General of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) Antonio Cavaco, and Relex Deputy Director-General Hervé Jouanjean.

To coincide with this meeting, Ms Ferrero-Waldner and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers will sign a Strategic Partnership Agreement in the field of protection and assistance to refugees and other people of concern to UNHCR in third countries. High Commissioner Lubbers will also sign an Exchange of Letters with Vice-President Franco Frattini, Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security, to reinforce cooperation between UNHCR and the European Commission on asylum and refugee protection policies.

At 14h45 on 16 February, following the Afghanistan meeting, High Commissioner Lubbers, Antonio Cavaco, and Hervé Jouanjean will hold a press conference in the Borschette building.

Journalists interested in attending should contact Rita Mecseki by 10h30 on 16 February (rita.mecseki@cec.eu.int )

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• Commission allocates €20 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and neighbouring countries (26/7/2005)
• EC President Barroso meets Afghan President Karzai on Afghan reconstruction programmes for 2005/2006  (11/5/2005)
• EU Parliament Address by Afghan President Karzai (10/5/2005)
• President Karzai of Afghanistan to address EU Parliament  (3/5/2005)
• EU-Pakistan Troika: Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner proposes major increase in aid to Pakistan (26/4/2005)