A group of over 20 European Union ambassadors accredited in Afghanistan took part in an unprecedented visit to Herat province, at the initiative of the Italian Embassy. They met the Governor of the Province, Daoud Shah Saba; the public prosecutor, Maria Bashir; and the head of Regional Command West (RC-W), Brigadier General Ignazio Gamba
The Ambassadors were accompanied by the European Union’s Special Representative in Afghanistan, Vygaudas Usackas, who thanked Italian Ambassador Luciano Pezzotti and the ISAF regional command, led by Italy, for the initiatives. They met the authorities and representatives of local institutions, the business community and civil society.
Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development (CAPD)
“The EU and its member states”, observed Usackas, “will stand by Afghanistan and support it in the transformations it will undergo in the decade to come (after the withdrawal of the NATO troops in late 2014). Transformations that will involve the construction of sound local institutions, better governance, respect for women’s rights, the construction of a self-sufficient economy, and the creation of well- trained security forces”. The EU, as he concluded, will use the Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development (CAPD) to help the country in this effort. The CAPD will serve as a binding legal framework for bilateral relations and help strengthen governance, human rights, a more efficient justice system, and more efficient agriculture, trade and investment systems.
Successful transition
The Italian Embassy in Kabul also pointed out that “bringing over 20 ambassadors to Herat at the one time clearly demonstrates that the transition in the province has been a success. […] The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) are managing to control the area and consequently, with the collaboration of RC-W, to ensure that the population enjoys adequate security conditions”. The mission was also accompanied by the head of the European Union Police (EUPOL) Mission in Afghanistan, Karl Ake Roghe. A fact, added the Embassy, “ that underscores the symbolic significance of the visit”. We are gradually moving from “an international presence engaged primarily in the security and stabilisation sectors, to one focusing more closely on the ‘civil’ dimension”.