Afghanistan tops the agenda of today's (23 February) External Relations Council. This is the first discussion at EU heads of diplomacy level on the situation in the country since the new US president took office, diplomatic sources highlighted, against a background of what Barack Obama himself called a "deteriorating situation".
"We want to start a process leading to the reaffirmation of the EU commitment," a diplomat said, observing that the EU's value is in "soft power". He named supporting national elections in August and stepping up the EU police mission in Afghanistan as the major projects considered.
The EU launched EUPOL Afghanistan in June 2007, but a decision to double its contingent to 400 from its present 200 members has not yet been implemented.
As for Afghan presidential election due on 20 August, the EU is largely funding these efforts, estimated to cost over $200 million, a source said. The ballot will be the second presidential election in the country since a US-led attack ousted the Taliban regime in 2001.
The checks and balances of the elections are unclear. Although incumbent President Hamid Karzai has been at odds with the Western community, he is still seen as the leading candidate.
Questioned about possible embarrassment if the well-meaning efforts of the West brought about the democratic election of a Taliban candidate, the diplomat avoided answering directly, stressing the importance of ensuring fair conditions for a democratic poll.
The Afghan issue will stay high on the agenda of all high-level EU meetings until August, different sources confirmed.
