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Press release The 5th EU-Afghanistan IPM 17-19 December 2018 in Kabul The European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with Afghanistan (D-AF) visited Kabul on 17-19 December 2018 for the fifth EU-Afghanistan inter- parliamentary meeting. The visit also allowed the delegation to collect first-hand information on the current situation of the country and the status of bilateral relations between the EU and Afghanistan. Led by MEP Petras Austrevicius (ALDE) and including MEPs André Elissen (ENF) and Frank Engel (EPP), the delegation was accompanied by the EU Ambassador to Afghanistan Pierre Mayaudon. An intensive programme of high-level meetings included President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs Salahuddin Rabbani, former President Hamid Karzai, members of the House of Representatives (the Wolesi Jirga), and several representatives from the government, bodies dealing with the electoral process and human rights, civil society organisations, media and others. A joint statement was adopted at the conclusion of the meeting. Delegation Chair Petras Austrevicius also released the following statement: “Since many years, the European Union is one of the most loyal and committed partners of Afghanistan and intends to fully play its role in the current critical situation. As the European Parliament, we fully support the perspective of an Afghan-led inclusive reconciliation process, aimed to achieve peace, security and freedom to each Afghan citizen. The European Parliament, and European citizens, will always stress the primary importance of human rights, rule of law and anti-corruption, and fundamental freedom as the basis for the future of the country. “The European Parliament also believes that the European Union is a key partner in any major initiative to provide stability to Afghanistan. The EU Member States are one of the main donors to Afghanistan and will be ready to contribute to the implementation of any reconciliation process, which is endorsed by the Afghan people and which is based on shared values and rights and on a common agenda for security and development”. .

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