The European Parliament adopted a resolution on an EU-Afghanistan cooperation agreement on partnership and development.The resolution was tabled by ALDE, ECR, S&D, and EPP groups.
It notes that the EU and Afghanistan are engaged in negotiations on a cooperation agreement on partnership and development and it calls on the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Afghan Government to conclude them swiftly. It regrets the fact that despite the EEAS's obligation to inform Parliament concerning all stages of the negotiations, Parliament has not been properly informed, and it recalls its new prerogatives in foreign affairs as stipulated in the Lisbon Treaty.
Parliament stresses that the agreement should lead to a more strategic approach and to support for the Afghan authorities during and after the withdrawal of international forces.
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on budgetary control of EU financial assistance to Afghanistan.
Recalling the resolution on a new strategy for Afghanistan adopted in 2010, the main areas the Parliament has chosen to focus on are;
As far as future aid is concerned, Members call on the EU to honour its commitments and to continue to make available appropriate resources beyond 2014, when responsibility for security will be fully in the hands of the Afghan authorities. They call on the EU to seek new foreign civil-society partners and donors.
Lastly, Members call on the Commission, the Member States and the international community to coordinate their aid efforts better, and combat the current fragmentation of assistance.The European Parliament adopted a resolution on a new strategy for Afghanistan. It believes that the EU strategy for Afghanistan should have to take as its starting point two premises:
Parliament stresses that any long-term solution to the Afghan crisis has to start from the resolution of the problems relating to internal security, civil protection and economic and social development.
As regards the four main areas the Parliament has chosen to focus on are;
The Parliament calls for a five-year national plan for the elimination of illicit opium crops, promoted through cooperation between the EU and the Russian Federation, the latter being the major victim of Afghan heroin.
The European Parliament adopted by 388 votes to 4, with 7 abstentions, a resolution on women's rights in Afghanistan.
Parliament calls for the revision of the draft law concerning the personal status of Shiite women in Afghanistan, since the substance of that draft law is not consistent with the principle of equality between men and women, as laid down in the Afghan Constitution and in international agreements. It urges the Afghan Ministry of Justice to repeal all laws which give rise to discrimination against women and which breach the international treaties to which Afghanistan is a party. It is essential for the democratic development of the country that Afghanistan should commit itself to safeguarding human rights and women's rights in particular.
Members point out that the EU's strategy document on Afghanistan for the period 2007-2013 identifies gender equality and women's rights as key aspects of Afghanistan's national development strategy.