AFGHANISTAN: The European Union was deeply concerned about the growing production of narcotics in Afghanistan, the Minister for Foreign Affairs told President Hamid Karzai on a visit to Kabul yesterday. Mr Cowen pointed out that most of these drugs ended up in Europe, writes Deaglán de Bréadún, Foreign Affairs Corresponden
The Afghan President said the problem had to be tackled on a number of fronts, such as eradication or replacement of crops and the interception of drug-trafficking.
Mr Cowen was heading an EU "Troika" delegation which included the Dutch Foreign Minister, Mr Bernard Bot, and the EU's External Relations Commissioner, Mr Chris Patten.
There was also a detailed discussion on preparations for the presidential and parliamentary elections in June, with Mr Cowen stressing the importance of voter registration and the need for improved security to facilitate voting.
President Karzai outlined plans being worked out with the United Nations for the completion of voter registration by the end of May. He stressed his desire to meet the target date and his wish to see parliamentary elections follow as quickly as possible after the presidential poll.
Preparations for the international conference on Afghan reconstruction, to be held in Berlin at the end of March, were also discussed. President Karzai said the government would put forward a seven-year perspective. He wanted Afghanistan to be in a position so that, within five to 10 years, it would no longer depend on the international community to meet its daily expenditure. It would, of course, require development assistance for many years beyond that.
The EU side confirmed its willingness to make substantial assistance available. EU member-states have pledged $1.7 billion over the last two years, most of which has already been committed. Ireland is providing $12 million of this. The EU delegation is expected to meet Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad today.