KABUL - The negotiations on the European Union EU-Afghanistan Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development (CAPD) were officially launched on Monday at the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Afghan team was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin, and the EU negotiation team was led by Mr. David Tirr, Head of Division in charge of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives at the European External Action Service (EEAS).

"I'm delighted to welcome the EU negotiation team to Kabul," said Mr. Ludin. "Over the past decade, the EU has been one of our most important international partners in our joint efforts against the scourge of international terrorism and for peace, stability, development and democracy in Afghanistan."

"We already have a solid draft document as an excellent basis for our negotiations," added Ludin. "The conclusion of comprehensive and lasting cooperation agreement on partnership and development will significantly strengthen an already solid and fruitful relationship between Afghanistan and the EU."

Head of the European Union Delegation and EU Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Vygaudas Ušackas said, "This is truly an auspicious occasion and a clear manifestation of the European Union's commitment to an enduring engagement with Afghanistan up to and beyond 2014 as announced at the International Afghanistan Conference in Bonn in December 2011".

Mr. Tirr stressed: "The CAPD is a long-term, broad-based agreement that incorporates all the areas and sectors of mutual interest pertinent to the EU and Afghanistan. The start of the negotiations heralds a new phase in the ever strengthening EU-Afghan bilateral relationship".

Both parties are confident that the negotiations will run smoothly and that the complex negotiations on the Agreement can be concluded in the near future. (PR)