The headlines about Afghanistan in European media would definitely tell you that security is the main challenge of the country. The ongoing war with the Taliban, the suicide bombers and the foreign troops are part of a daily live for many millions of Afghans.

Fighting poverty is key

During my visit to Afghanistan, I wanted to highlight other consequences of instability and conflict – I came to talk about poverty. Nine million of Afghans, more than one third of the population, are not able to meet their basic needs; almost as many people as in entire Belgium live below poverty line. The situation is even worse in rural areas, which are home to 80% of the Afghanistan people.

EU aid works

I understand that when you see a war through your window it is difficult to focus on building schools and improving living standards, but this is exactly what the European Union tries to do in these difficult conditions.

For instance, I visited the Central Veterinary Diagnostic and Research Laboratory (CVDRL), to get an illustration of the results of the EU support to the rehabilitation and development of the agricultural sector, as part of our efforts to boost the national economy. (You can see it on the pictures). The laboratory is an achievement of the EU and the Afghan Government’s joint strategy to improve agricultural production in quantity and quality. Such infrastructure is a key for promoting the animal health sector and improving livestock productivity in Afghanistan.

I have also visited road and energy infrastructure projects in Mazar. I believe that our further investment in these sectors is important for achieving greater stability and development.

Honest political dialogue

I have also met with President Karzai and other Government officials and it was encouraging to see the determination of political leadership to improve the living conditions of people and create basis for sustainable development of the society. But I also frankly expressed my concerns. I insisted on the need to improve the management of public finances and strengthen the oversight of the financial institutions. The situation of the Kabul Bank was notably mentioned in this respect.

Afghanistan in hands to the Afghan people

I know it is difficult to think about tomorrow if you don’t know what will happen today, but it is absolutely crucial that we move forward with our dialogue on the future of development cooperation. The government knows best the needs of its own country and without its strong engagement it would be difficult to create an overarching strategy for fighting poverty.

Afghanistan is entering now a transition process, which will entail the handover of responsibility for internal security in the coming few years to the Government, and it will also place the Government in the lead for development and governance. I told president Karzai and Finance minister Dr. Omar Zakhilwal that the European Union is ready to assist with the challenges of the country but the government would have to take ownership of this project.

EU will continue to help

I am convinced that development aid in Afghanistan is a very good investment which will also contribute to safety. When the government can offer people decent lives with jobs, food and prospects they will not be eager to join extremist groups in exchange for protection and care. Therefore I encouraged the government to step up all the development activities, of course, where a security situation allows it.

I know that the EU will not leave Afghanistan alone. This message was reinforced as German Development Minister, Dirk Niebel, was also in Afghanistan and he shares my views on this issue.

I have also visited EU delegation in Kabul and met with the people who work every day in difficult, sometimes dangerous conditions. I want to thank them here again for their dedication and commitment to work for the benefit of the most vulnerable people in Afghanistan.

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