Statement: Message from President Barroso and President Van Rompuy to Dr Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and to Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of the new Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

President Barroso and President Van Rompuy on behalf of the European Union extended congratulations to Dr Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and to Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of the new Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan following the elections of 14 June 2014.

They expressed the commitment of the EU to working closely with the new Afghan government to implement urgently needed political and economic reforms, strengthen the rule of law and foster full respect for human rights, in particular the rights of women and girls.