LOC16:38
13:38 GMT
BRUSSELS, Jan 20 (KUNA) -- The European Union Monday stressed that it
remains firmly committed to long-term partnership with Afghanistan and called
on the government in Kabul to reciprocate that commitment by finalising
negotiations on the Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development with
the 28-member European bloc.
EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels today issued a statement saying
that sustained development will require the maintenance of security in
Afghansitan.
"The finalisation of the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) with the United
States of America is vital and will provide the basis for ongoing
international support to increase the capability of the Afghan National
Security Force," it underlined.
The EU appreciated the progress made in preparing for the presidential and
provincial elections later this year.
The ministers expressed alarm over the announcement by the United Nations
Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) of a sharp increase in opium poppy
cultivation in Afghanistan.
"The EU will take stock of how it can strengthen its engagement with
Afghanistan, other countries in the region and international organisations on
the transnational threats posed by drug trafficking and organized crime," they
said. (end)
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KUNA 201638 Jan 14NNNN