Interview with Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy

In an interview with IRIN, Javier Solana, European Union (EU) High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy reaffirmed EU committment to Kabul and expressed support for a new international gathering on Afghanistan. Solana was in the Afghan capital recently to assess EU work in the country. He also met presdient Hamid Karzai and Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah. He also said donor countries needed to look at what would happen beyond Afghan elections slated for next June and how they could continue to support moves to reduce insecurity and promote development in Afghanistan. QUESTION: What are the EU's aid and reconstruction priorities for Afghanistan? ANSWER: I am now speaking about the political priorities. They include the full implementation of the Bonn Agreement, assisting Afghanistan to become a fully-fledged member of the international community as a democracy where universal norms of human rights, gender equality and rights of minorities are respected. The EU is committed to long-term institution building and reconstruction of the country in close cooperation with other donors. It should not be forgotten that half of the international aid to Afghanistan originates in the European countries. Q: Are you happy with the outcome of the Afghan Loya Jirga which last month adopted the country's first post-conflict constitution? A: I have congratulated President Karzai and his government on the successful outcome of the Loya Jirga. The constitution is a good foundation for a functioning state. It establishes clear institutions for Afghanistan and is a very good basis for the holding of elections and for reconciliation efforts. The government should focus now on the tasks ahead. They are all difficult, but the Afghan authorities and the population should know that they can count on our [EU] support. Q: What level of support are you giving the Afghan election process? A: The UN [United Nations] is in charge of assistance to the electoral process. The EU is actively supporting the registration process, which in my view should be intensified to cover the whole of the country. We are waiting for a more detailed UN assessment on the holding of the elections. Such an assessment is necessary for the EU to provide maximum support to the process. The elections will be a fundamental step towards the implementation of the constitution and therefore, advancing on the path towards a stable and democratic country. Q: To what extent is poor security limiting the assistance objectives of your organisation? A: The poor security situation has an impact on all aspects of European and international activities in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, this security situation is far from stabilised. Last year we have seen intensified Taliban and Al-Qaeda activity, especially in the south and east of the country. It is very worrying that international assistance organisations and even local NGOs are increasingly becoming the target of terrorist attacks. In addition, drug-related problems increase security risks. I think that these issues can only be tackled with intensified, co-ordinated and long-term cooperation between the international community and the developing Afghan armed forces and police. In this respect, I want to underline how glad I am to see progress in the process of creating the Afghan National Army and in disarmament and demilitarisation in Kabul and in other parts of the country. These are crucial steps towards improving the security situation. NATO will continue in the meantime to contribute to security in Afghanistan. The establishment of additional Provincial Reconstruction Teams in many parts of the country is, in my view, an important element of these efforts. Q: Is the EU going to remain in Afghanistan despite these problems? A: In my discussions with President Karzai and Foreign Minister Abdullah I was told that the Afghan authorities are pleased with the EU's strong role in Afghanistan. We have reiterated to them our commitment to a long-term effort and our determination to intensify our reconstruction efforts and to help improving the security situation. Q: Has the Bonn process been a success, in your opinion? A: The Bonn process has proven to be a successful example of international cooperation on nation building. Now we need to look at what will happen beyond the elections and how we continue to support peace and stabilisation in Afghanistan. In this respect, the EU supports the idea of a new international gathering on Afghanistan and welcomes Germany's readiness to host it. I said publicly and privately when I was in Kabul that such a gathering should be an opportunity to once again state the international community's readiness to remain committed with the efforts to reconstruct Afghanistan, to help rebuild Afghan economy and stabilise security.