KABUL - The European Union (EU) has said it is committed to supporting the Afghan government’s economic programmes and priorities to be presented at the NATO summit in Brussels this year.
The assurance came at a meeting between Afghan National Security Advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar and EU External Action Service Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific, Gunnar Wiegand, and EU special representative in Afghanistan Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin in Kabul.
A statement from the National Security Council (NSC) said the meeting conferred on Afghanistan’s preparations for the Brussels Summit, the international war against terrorism and the situation of Afghan refugees in Europe.
Gunnar Wiegand condemned the recent devastating truck bombing in Kabul that killed and wounded hundreds of people and extended condolences to Hanif Atmar on behalf of the European people.
He said the EU was committed to supporting Afghanistan’s economic plans and priorities at this year’s Brussels summit.
He also shared EU’s recommendations with the Afghan national security advisor on the peace process and the anti-corruption campaign.
Atmar said Afghanistan counted on international support in the fight against terrorism and hoped regional countries would also participate in the fight.
He said Afghanistan would go to the Brussels Conference fully prepared as the country had fulfilled much part of its promises it had made at the London and Tokyo conferences including judicial reforms and anti-corruption effort.
In a reference to President Ghani’s historic speech at the joint sitting of parliament, Atmar said Afghanistan’s top priority was defending its people, soil and fighting terrorists.
He said Pakistan should carry out military operations against terrorist networks in line with promises as part of the roadmap to peace.
About refugee issue, Atmar said Afghanistan was working with all European countries on programmes that would help do away with factors behind migration inside Afghanistan. (Pajhwok)