Meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council [29 Jun 2004]

On 29 June 2004, a meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council was held as part of the NATO Istanbul Summit. At the meeting, heads of state and government met with the President of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai.

Addressing the meeting, the President of Afghanistan thanked NATO and partner states for their contribution to the stabilisation and renewal of Afghanistan. He noted that a significant development has taken place in the country in all areas and that it owes largely to the NATO-led International Stabilisation Forces.

Currently, active preparations for the upcoming elections are taking place in Afghanistan, including the registration of population. President Karzai informed the audience that over 5.2 million residents have registered for the elections, noting the high participation by the female population. At the same time, he pointed out that for a successful organisation of the elections, additional security forces are required, which would ensure a due election process as well as proper registering of voters. Therefore, NATO's decision to render support for the elections and expand the presence of its forces in Afghanistan is a very positive factor.

The Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council states evaluated positively the results achieved in stabilising the situation in Afghanistan and acknowledged that the renewal of the country not only is essential for the future of the country but also serves the interests of global security. The Council responded approvingly to the call by Afghanistan's President to guarantee security in organising and holding the elections by deploying extra troops.

Marking its ten years of operation, the EAPC discussed further Euro-Atlantic partnership cooperation. The participants welcomed NATO's decision to focus more increasingly on the strategically important regions of the Caucasus and Central Asia and supported NATO's policy on combating trafficking in human beings.

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