The EU Action Plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan

(BRUSSELS2) There was the plan "McCrystal" for the "arises" military in Afghanistan, there is now a civilian and European counterpart. Admittedly the second is not as complete, nor as documented as the first, but it has its interest. The 27 Foreign Ministers should adopt it during their their meeting of October 27, in Luxembourg.This plan - which takes up, in part, the ideas presented by Javier Solana, and discussed at the Gymnich, as well as at the informal meeting of Defense Ministers - begins with an inventory of the situation before going around what can be done in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The situation is deteriorating

The lure is no longer allowed on the 27, according to the document that I was able to consult. " The situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating. We are not just facing a critical security situation. Progress on political reform, governance and state building is too slow and in some parts of the country almost non-existent. » But " insecurity in Afghanistan cannot be solved by military means alone ". To create " a framework for stability by developing effective state institutions, improving governance, rule of law and human rights and fighting corruption is also important ". It is about establishing a responsible and responsive Afghan government ". While the European member states together pay nearly a billion euros a year to the country, the inaction of the Afghan government is pointed out: “Without good governance, access to essential services, adequate justice and the rule of law, the combined efforts of Afghans and the international security community will not produce the stability needed. policy to promote prosperous and secure development. “The Afghan people need to see their own authorities deliver tangible improvements in their (daily) lives. This alone can give them a reason to have real confidence in their Government and in the future of their country. »

A new commitment

The 27 also want to reaffirm that the EU's commitment in the country is " long-term "," a transition strategy is not the same as an exit strategy ". The EU wants a renewed agreement between the international community and Afghanistan. And so that everyone can feel the pulse of Afghan society, the EU proposes to organize the next international conference on Afghanistan, directly in Kabul. A great challenge! Europe wants to provide Afghanistan with what it knows how to do best, such as strengthening provincial and local structures and the Afghan administration, developing the electoral framework, strengthening the framework of the rule of law (corruption , drugs, police, justice, etc., support for rural development (by setting up micro-credits for the private sector). It intends to promote an assistance strategy to strengthen the " Afghan government capacity » and lead « much assistance to the central budget of the Afghan government as possible », and calls « other donors, in particular the USA, to follow the same path ».

A single EU head in Kabul

The international community must also coordinate better, concede the 27. First decision, the EU will now have, in Kabul, a single person responsible for all its services present in the country, whether those of the EU (police) or the European Commission (humanitarian, development, justice). NB: This practice of "double hatting" does not, however, concern member states which retain their embassies in the capital.

Complete the deployment of la european police mission (EUPOL)

While the objective was to have 400 people, only 270 are currently present. The volunteers do not jostle, in fact, at the gate: too far, too hard, not paid enough, it is explained. New solutions can be put in place, for example by funding seconded staff directly from the CFSP budget and by improving existing incentives for contract staff. It is also a matter of promoting the deployment of different EUPOL resources in the provinces. The EU undertakes to ensure maximum coordination with the other initiatives that will take place within the framework of the NATO training mission, which includes the forthcoming initiative of the European Gendarmerie (EGF) ". Support for the LOFTA (Law and Order Trust Fund Afghanistan) which covers the operating costs of the national police
afghan “ must continue ».

A network of civilian experts

The Europeans propose setting up training for civil servants in key subjects such as the budget and planning. Based on European expertise, the EU wants to set up a network of available experts, based on Member States' databases, who could be deployed quickly in Afghanistan as needed. The EU also intends to support the process of reintegration of the elements of the insurrection - with training, civilian employment and support for rural development - by setting up a joint "trust fund" of multi-donors.

Separate strategy in Pakistan

The strategy for Afghanistan must be accompanied by a different strategy for Pakistan, to stabilize it democratically. The EU thus intends to develop its development strategy for Malakand (in particular by deploying experts capable of helping to absorb international financial assistance and to manage development and reconstruction assistance), strengthen its cooperation in the the reform of the security sector and the rule of law (by providing experts for justice, training and equipment for the police, assistance in the definition of a security/anti-terrorism strategy), promoting democracy and human rights, encourage cooperation in nuclear proliferation, and promote socio-economic development (including the establishment of a "trust fund" managed by the World Bank for Balochistan and the tribal areas of FATA ).