André Brie as representative of the European Parliament at the Paris Afghanistan conference


Need for a coherent Afghanistan strategy


As representative of the European Parliament at the Paris Afghanistan conference, the deputy André Brie (GUE/NGL) stressed the necessity of long-term international solidarity and support of the country on the Hindu Kuch and of the Afghan population. “Progress in Afghanistan can only be reached with the assistance of the international community“, the Afghanistan reporter of the European Parliament said. In that context, the security and development policy aspects as well as the efforts to build up state structures should form a coherent unity.


In spite of the reinforced international help, the efforts to reach a permanent peace in Afghanistan still need to increase. In particular as far as human rights and the situation of women are concerned, there was need for action, thus Brie stated the position of the Parliament. Moreover, the living conditions for many Afghan men and women had not increased, and poverty remained a central problem. The current world-wide food crisis was also hitting the country very hard, said the reporter.


The deputy reasserted the conviction of the European Parliament that stability, reconstruction as well as economic and social progress cannot be reached by military means. He referred in this context to the demand of the UN General Secretary to link the construction of a functional state system with developmental and security policy efforts.


Brie expressed the intention of the European Parliament to support the Afghan Parliament in realising its competences. In cooperation with the international community, the European Parliament wanted to contribute to the establishment of a good conduct of government as well as the realisation of basic and human rights.


Schwerin/Brussels, 12 June 2008