KABUL - Afghanistan and the European Union have signed a Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development (CAPD). President Ashraf Ghani also attended the signing ceremony.
EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and Vice–President of European Commission Federica Mogherini and Minister of Finance Eklil Hakimi signed the agreement in Munich on Saturday.
"The European Union has always stood by the Afghan people and will continue to do so. After the successful international conference we have jointly chaired in Brussels last year, now our cooperation grows even more,” Mogherini said.
In a statement, she hoped the agreement would help build on the areas such as human development, anti-corruption, state building and the rule of law, as well as cooperation on migration.
The EU official added the accord was a partnership agreement by name and by nature. The EU would keep working with Afghan partners for the stability and the sustainable development of the country.
For his part, Hakimi called CAPD a vital new framework for partnership between Afghanistan and the European Union. The agreement built on mutual commitments to stability and development at various global conferences.
“It also formalises our partnership and provides an opportunity to strengthen friendship and cooperation between Afghanistan and the EU by conducting regular political dialogue on various fronts,” he remarked.
The proposed dialogue will focus support for peace, security and development in Afghanistan and the region. “I thank Ms. Mogherini, on behalf of the EU, for opening up a new chapter in the Afghanistan-EU relationship.”
CAPD is the first contractual relationship between EU and Afghanistan and establishes the legal framework for EU-Afghanistan cooperation. It confirms the EU's commitment to Afghanistan's future development during the "Decade of Transformation" (2015-2024).
The two sides will also hold talks on human rights, in particular the rights of women and children. The agreement will provide the basis for developing a mutually beneficial relationship in an increasing range of areas such as rule of law, health, rural development, education, science and technology, actions to combat corruption, money laundering, the financing of terrorism, organised crime and narcotics. (Pajhwok)