Press Release: Commission completes EUR 1 billion pledge to Afghanistan

In 2002 the European Commission pledged €1 billion over five years to support the reconstruction and development process in Afghanistan. Today the final commitments to realize this pledge have been approved. Decisions made on 30 November 2006 cover support to provincial governance, to improve service delivery to the local population (€10.6 million), to be implemented in the framework of Provincial Reconstruction Teams; and support for the Afghanistan Variety and Seed Industry Development Project (€10 million). With these two decisions the commitment of the €1 billion is complete. Around 80% of the money committed is already disbursed, making Afghanistan first class example of efficient and rapid action by the European Commission.