EC President Barroso Underlines EU's Afghanistan Commitment

Speaking at the NATO Summit in Bucharest today, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso emphasized the European Commission's continuing commitment to building a stable, secure, and prosperous Afghanistan, which respects human rights. The Commission has already spent 1 billion euros ($1.5 billion) and has approved a new assistance strategy for 2007-10 with a budget of at least 610 million euros ($952 million).

"It is understandable that, for the time being, the international community in Afghanistan is primarily focused on the challenges of security and development. We believe that to fight the Taliban, we need soldiers, yes, but we also need doctors, teachers, judges, lawyers, police. That is why we, the European Commission, are focusing on these areas.

"Let me reassure you that the European Commission is in Afghanistan for the long haul. We need tenacity. After all, we are here assisting Afghanistan, defending our common values: freedom and democracy."

President Barroso highlighted specific Commission actions in the area of security, justice, institution and civil activities.

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