Highlights

EUPOL police officer with border police officer
© EUPOL Afghanistan, European Union 2011

The Union will continue assisting Afghanistan on its way to stability and reconstruction. This is the EU's key message for the upcoming international conference on Afghanistan in Bonn. On 14 November, the Council discussed the transition process, shifting responsibility to the Afghan government by 2014 and the EU engagement after that date.

Setting out the EU's position for the conference, the Council reiterated the EU's firm commitment to remain involved as a strong and reliable partner. Ministers emphasised at the same time that governance and respect for human rights and the rule of law must be strengthened in the country.

The EU will remain committed also after 2014 when the Afghan government will have fully taken over responsibility. The Council has therefore prepared the launch of negotiations on a cooperation agreement for partnership and development between the EU and Afghanistan. Cooperation would cover among other things institution building, development, counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics and combating international crime.

The Council also decided to prolong the EU police mission in Afghanistan, in principle for three more years until the end of 2014. The aim of the mission is to contribute to the establishment of a trusted and effective civil police service respecting the rule of law and human rights.

Finally, the EU intends to maintain its current level of development aid. The EU is a leading donor in Afghanistan: total assistance to the country from the EU and its member states amounts to around one billion euros a year.

More information:
Council conclusions (pdf)
Remarks by High Representative Catherine Ashton following the Foreign Affairs Council (pdf)
Fact sheet on the EU's engagement in Afghanistan (pdf)
Fact sheet on the EU police mission in Afghanistan (pdf)
EUPOL Afghanistan website
Press conference webcast