13. The European Council welcomes the signing in Bonn on 5 December of the agreement defining the provisional arrangements applicable in Afghanistan pending the re-establishment of permanent State institutions. It urges all Afghan groups to implement that agreement.

14. The European Council has undertaken to participate in the efforts of the international community with a view to restoring stability in Afghanistan on the basis of the outcome of the Bonn Conference and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. In that context, it encourages the deployment of an international security force, which would be mandated, on the basis of a resolution of the United Nations Security Council, to contribute to the security of the Afghan and international administrations established in Kabul and the surrounding areas and to the establishment and training of anew Afghan security and armed forces. The Member States of the Union are examining their contributions to such a force. The participation of the Member States of the Union in that international force will provide a strong signal of their resolve to better assume their crisis-management responsibilities and hence help stabilise Afghanistan.

15. The urgent needs of the Afghan people mean that humanitarian aid continues to be an absolute priority. The delivery of such aid, inter alia for refugees and displaced persons, must be adapted to changes in the situation and must take place in as efficient and well-coordinated a manner as possible. The Union has already pledged or is ready to pledge a total of EUR 352 million for humanitarian aid, of which EUR 103 million will come from the Community budget.

16. More than twenty years of war and political instability have destroyed the structures of Afghan society, completely disrupted the functioning of the public institutions and authorities and caused immense human suffering. The European Union will help the Afghan people and its new leaders rebuild the country and encourage as swift a return to democracy as possible. The situation of women will merit particular attention. Rehabilitation and reconstruction will require international cooperation and coordination. The European Union has appointed Mr. Klaus-Peter Klaiber Special Representative in Afghanistan under the authority of the High Representative for the CFSP. On 21 December in Brussels, the Union will co-chair the first meeting of the steering group to support political renewal in Afghanistan and better coordinate donors' efforts with a view to the ministerial conference scheduled for January 2002 in Tokyo. At those meetings, the Union will undertake to help to cover the requirements, alongside the USA, the Arab countries and Japan, inter alia.

17. The European Union reaffirms its total solidarity with the American people and the international community in combating terrorism with full regard for individual rights and freedoms. The plan of action adopted on 21 September is being implemented in accordance with the timetable set. The progress which has been achieved indicates that the objectives will be met. Agreement on the European arrest warrant constitutes a decisive step forward. The common definition of terrorist crimes, the drawing up of lists of terrorists and terrorist organisations, groups and bodies, the cooperation between specialist services and the provisions concerning the freezing of assets which have been adopted following Resolution 1373 of the United Nations Security Council all constitute practical responses in the campaign against terrorism. The European Council invites the Council and the Commission to move swiftly towards finalising the programme to improve cooperation between Member States with regard to threats of the use of biological and chemical means; the work of the European Civil Protection Agency will provide the framework for such cooperation.

18. The European Union is committed to alleviating the consequences of the attacks of 11 September for the aviation sector with a view to ensuring a rapid and coordinated response from all Member States. The European Council welcomes the adoption of a common position of the Council on the Regulation on aviation security.

• PRESIDENCY REPORT: European Union Action Following the Attacks in the United States (pdf)

• See Also the Laeken Documents on European Security & Defense Policy