KABUL (SW): The government of Afghanistan inked the Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development (CAPD) with the European Union on Thursday (02 July) in a bid to pave the way for value-based partnership between the two.
The agreement was initialed by Hazrat Omer Zakheilwal, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani’s Economic Advisor and Paola Pampaloni, Chief Negotiator of the European Union.
In the ceremony that was held at (ARG) the Presidential Palace, President Ghani said that with finalization of this agreement, a new chapter of cooperation will begin between Afghanistan and the European Union. The President talked on the government’s program of job creation and hoped that the agreement on partnership and development could help the government reach that goal.
Addressing the EU ambassadors who were present in the ceremony, President Ghani said that we are working on a budgetary framework within which the budget could be estimated on 4-year basis.
The President called lack of capacity in effective spending of the budget as one of the major problems and hoped that the government could overcome this challenge through implementation of this plan, a statement by the Palace said.
“President Ghani underscored the government’s desire to provide equal economic opportunities for every Afghan with a particular focus on women, the youth and the poor as the primary vulnerable groups in the society”.
"We will deepen our cooperation with the Afghan authorities to support sustainable development and a stable democratic country for all Afghans," stressed Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission.
The Agreement will provide the basis for developing a further mutually beneficial relationship in an increasing range of economic and political areas. It encompasses cooperation in areas such as rule of law, health, rural development, education, science and technology, as well as action to combat corruption, money laundering, terrorist financing, organised crime and narcotics.
The Cooperation Agreement will also enable the EU and Afghanistan to jointly address questions of common concern, such as nuclear security, non-proliferation and climate change. Emphasis will be placed on holding regular political dialogue, including on human rights issues, in particular the rights of women and children, which are defined as essential elements of this agreement.
The agreement will be sent to EU Parliament for final approval. It will be the first official, contractual framework governing cooperation between the EU and Afghanistan.
ENDS