EU Council Conclusions - Afghanistan

EU Council conclusions on Afghanistan, 2706th EXTERNAL RELATIONS Council meeting, Brussels

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"1. The EU welcomes the international conference to be held in London on 31 January and 1 February 2006 as an important opportunity to generate momentum for reforms and reconstruction in Afghanistan, and to define follow-on to the process launched at Bonn in December 2001.

2. The Council particularly welcomes the launch of the Afghanistan Compact on the basis of partnership between the Afghan Government, with its sovereign responsibilities, and the international community, with a central and impartial coordinating role for the United Nations. This is in line with the EU's long-standing support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of an Afghanistan accountable to its citizens, able to assume its rightful place in the international community and to contribute to regional stability. The EU fully supports all three pillars of activity identified by the Compact (security; governance, rule of law and human rights; sustainable economic and social development), as well as the cross-cutting priority of counter-narcotics.

3. The EU remains committed to long-term support for the Government and people of Afghanistan through Afghan-led reconstruction efforts and will further enhance the effectiveness of its action. The EU-Afghanistan Joint Declaration of 16 November (14519/05) is a clear expression of that. EU assistance will mainly aim at fostering the establishment of a democratic, accountable and sustainable Afghan State capable of exercising its sovereignty and protecting the rights of its citizens.

4. The EU will build on its already extensive engagement in the political, security, development and humanitarian fields, and will ensure that counter-narcotics is mainstreamed throughout its activities in each of these areas. The challenges of the phase following the successful completion of the Bonn process call for the deepening and consolidation of progress achieved so far.

5. Counter-narcotics will remain a cross-cutting priority in overall EU policy toward Afghanistan. The EU will sustain and increase its efforts in support of the priorities highlighted in the Government of Afghanistan's National Drugs Control Strategy. Specifically, it will support the development of strong and effective counter-narcotics institutions, law enforcement and criminal justice agencies, including through the provision of mentors and trainers, and will provide financial support for efforts by the Government of Afghanistan to strengthen and diversify opportunities for legal rural livelihoods.

6. Another cross-cutting priority will be the promotion of human rights, paying special attention to women's and children's rights.

7. The EU will pay special attention to governance and administrative reform, including at provincial level, and to promoting human rights and the rule of law. It will increase financial support for justice sector reform at both central and provincial level. The EU will directly support PRT civilian activities led by EU Member States, which will include activities focused on rule of law and good governance at provincial level.

8. The EU will increase support for security sector reform, including by providing training and increased financial support for the creation of an effective and sustainable Afghan National Police and by making available further contributions to support the disarmament and reintegration of former combatants.

9. The EU will continue to support Afghanistan's sustainable economic and social development, and its efforts to achieve its Millennium Development Goals. The EU will provide assistance within the framework of the Afghan National Development Strategy and the Afghanistan Compact. Programmes and projects will be coordinated with the Afghan Government in order to ensure that they are consistent with its priorities and that donor activities are rationalised. The EU will, where appropriate, provide assistance directly through the budget and will continue to encourage the Afghan Government to reach greater financial self-sustainability.

10. Establishment of regular political dialogue between the EU and Afghanistan is an important step in developing EU-Afghanistan cooperation. The Council welcomes the formal ministerial Troika meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Abdullah to be held on 31 January 2006, in the margins of the London conference.

11. The EU looks forward to continuing to cooperate closely with the rest of the international community, drawing on the Afghanistan Compact and the EU-Afghanistan Joint Declaration as frameworks for cooperation. The EU supports the continued central role of the UN, including in the monitoring and coordination of donor activity by the international community. The EU will coordinate closely its actions and programmes with the UN, its agencies, and other relevant international organisations."

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• Afghanistan: EU Commission completes €1 bn pledge  (30/11/2006)
• EU Presidency Statement - Situation in Afghanistan (28/11/2006)
• EU Presidency Statement - UN Security Council Debate on Afghanistan (14/3/2006)
• EU External Relations Council Conclusions (31/1/2006)
• Political perspectives: the Compact for Afghanistan - Speech by EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner (31/1/2006)
• EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner attends international conference on peace-building in Afghanistan (30/1/2006)
• EU Commission allocates €20m in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan (25/1/2006)
• EU Presidency Declaration on Inauguration of Afghan National Assembly (19/12/2005)
• EU Council Conclusions on Increased EU Assistance to Combating Drugs in Afghanistan (1/12/2005)