KABUL - The European Union would soon start homework on a long-term strategic cooperation agreement with Afghanistan, the President's Office said on Sunday.
The EU special representative for Afghanistan, Vygaudas Usackas, who met President Hamid Karzai at the Presidential Palace in Kabul on Sunday, said the key points of the pact would include respect for human rights, reforms in election process, increased commerce between the two sides and Afghanistan's access to EU markets.

Fighting terrorism and drugs would be part of the agreement, Usackas was quoted as saying in a statement issued from the Karzai's office.

Usackas said the EU wanted to work for reforms in Afghanistan public sector based on priorities of the Afghan government.

On the occasion, Karzai thanked the EU for its support with Afghanistan, saying his government wanted to keep the public sector safe from political interference in order to let it really serve the nation.

Afghanistan has previously signed a strategic pact with India and discussions for a similar agreement with the US are ongoing.