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Need to work with India on post-2014 scene in Afghan: European Union
Asserting that India and the European Union share the same concern over Afghanistan, the 27-nation bloc today said both sides need to work together in the "post-2014" context in the war-torn country following the proposed exit of US-led international troops from there.
The EU also hoped for a "new momentum" in Indo-Pak ties saying it has repercussion on the developments in Afghanistan and stressed on the need "to create a new regional paradigm which will be based on greater trust and confidence rather than national rivalries".
EU Ambassador to India Joao Cravinho said, "Our (India and EU) concerns are very close to each other," and added that both sides need to work jointly in the "post-2014 context".
European Union Special Representative for Afghanistan Vygaudas Usackas, who is in New Delhi on a visit, said, "We all hope that developments between India and Pakistan will gain a new momentum in the months and years to come as it also has a repercussion on the developments in Afghanistan."
He said the two "key" regional players (India and Pakistan) not only have a great potential to move forward on a "very positive political agenda but also critically for Afghanistan in facilitating transit routes, trade and investments both ways".
He pointed out that goods, including oil and gas from central Asian countries, could reach India's vast markets through Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The EU Special Representative was replying to questions on the talks he held with National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon.
"We had a very constructive and very like-minded conversation about the situation in Afghanistan and the region.
"We also noted developments across the region and the significance of Heart of Asia and India plays a very constructive role," he said.
Asked if India should provide lethal and non-lethal military equipment to Afghanistan sought by Kabul, he said it was for the Indian government to decide.
Replying to a query on Pakistan's role in Afghanistan, he said "we have noted positive momentum last year in bilateral relations between Islamabad and Kabul.
"However, as we have seen, that momentum is not an even one. It has its own ups and downs but I think it is important that we encourage to retain that positive agenda, restrain from public accusations and statements...
"I hope the new government in Pakistan will continue that positive trend and strengthen that trend vis-a-vis Afghanistan. I have also noted in press reports, statements from Prime Minister-elect (Nawaz Sharif) expressing eagerness to promote better relations with India".
Mr Usackas said the security puzzle in Afghanistan cannot be seen in "isolation from the region".
He said EU is being viewed as a reliable partner, a partner who can inspire not only the Afghans but also the region "to create a new regional paradigm which will be based on greater trust and confidence rather than national rivalries".
On the situation in Afghanistan, Usackas said the country looks much different now since the international forces first entered Afghanistan 12 years back.
He said infant mortality has come down while literacy levels have gone up as compared to the times under the Taliban.
"The country looks much different and we have a new generation which is more demanding and which will never allow the Taliban to return to Kabul and that is a sign of that obvious change.
"Having said this, we have to be honest, as we go through the historical transition period, these changes, these accomplishments, however visible, are still fragile".
He said the roots causes of conflict - radicalism, illiteracy and poverty - will continue to persist after 2014.
He said EU supports the ongoing reconciliation process in Afghanistan, including the setting up of a Taliban political office in Doha.
The EU Special Representative also noted the pledge by major donors last year in Tokyo to give Afghanistan USD 16 billion in development aid through 2015.
He, however, stressed on the need for Kabul to stick to the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework like holding elections among other pre-requisites for the dollars to keep coming in.
"Afghans cannot be complacent any more. They have to deliver on their side to keep us engaged. We have to be honest before our tax payers and our politicians. People are tired of 12 years of war. Both in Afghanistan and also in Europe," he said.
Need to work with India on post-2014 scene in Afghan: European Union | NDTV.com
Asserting that India and the European Union share the same concern over Afghanistan, the 27-nation bloc today said both sides need to work together in the "post-2014" context in the war-torn country following the proposed exit of US-led international troops from there.
The EU also hoped for a "new momentum" in Indo-Pak ties saying it has repercussion on the developments in Afghanistan and stressed on the need "to create a new regional paradigm which will be based on greater trust and confidence rather than national rivalries".
EU Ambassador to India Joao Cravinho said, "Our (India and EU) concerns are very close to each other," and added that both sides need to work jointly in the "post-2014 context".
European Union Special Representative for Afghanistan Vygaudas Usackas, who is in New Delhi on a visit, said, "We all hope that developments between India and Pakistan will gain a new momentum in the months and years to come as it also has a repercussion on the developments in Afghanistan."
He said the two "key" regional players (India and Pakistan) not only have a great potential to move forward on a "very positive political agenda but also critically for Afghanistan in facilitating transit routes, trade and investments both ways".
He pointed out that goods, including oil and gas from central Asian countries, could reach India's vast markets through Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The EU Special Representative was replying to questions on the talks he held with National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon.
"We had a very constructive and very like-minded conversation about the situation in Afghanistan and the region.
"We also noted developments across the region and the significance of Heart of Asia and India plays a very constructive role," he said.
Asked if India should provide lethal and non-lethal military equipment to Afghanistan sought by Kabul, he said it was for the Indian government to decide.
Replying to a query on Pakistan's role in Afghanistan, he said "we have noted positive momentum last year in bilateral relations between Islamabad and Kabul.
"However, as we have seen, that momentum is not an even one. It has its own ups and downs but I think it is important that we encourage to retain that positive agenda, restrain from public accusations and statements...
"I hope the new government in Pakistan will continue that positive trend and strengthen that trend vis-a-vis Afghanistan. I have also noted in press reports, statements from Prime Minister-elect (Nawaz Sharif) expressing eagerness to promote better relations with India".
Mr Usackas said the security puzzle in Afghanistan cannot be seen in "isolation from the region".
He said EU is being viewed as a reliable partner, a partner who can inspire not only the Afghans but also the region "to create a new regional paradigm which will be based on greater trust and confidence rather than national rivalries".
On the situation in Afghanistan, Usackas said the country looks much different now since the international forces first entered Afghanistan 12 years back.
He said infant mortality has come down while literacy levels have gone up as compared to the times under the Taliban.
"The country looks much different and we have a new generation which is more demanding and which will never allow the Taliban to return to Kabul and that is a sign of that obvious change.
"Having said this, we have to be honest, as we go through the historical transition period, these changes, these accomplishments, however visible, are still fragile".
He said the roots causes of conflict - radicalism, illiteracy and poverty - will continue to persist after 2014.
He said EU supports the ongoing reconciliation process in Afghanistan, including the setting up of a Taliban political office in Doha.
The EU Special Representative also noted the pledge by major donors last year in Tokyo to give Afghanistan USD 16 billion in development aid through 2015.
He, however, stressed on the need for Kabul to stick to the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework like holding elections among other pre-requisites for the dollars to keep coming in.
"Afghans cannot be complacent any more. They have to deliver on their side to keep us engaged. We have to be honest before our tax payers and our politicians. People are tired of 12 years of war. Both in Afghanistan and also in Europe," he said.
Need to work with India on post-2014 scene in Afghan: European Union | NDTV.com
