Press Release: European Commission supports Afghan elections with an additional EUR 9 million

The Commission has approved a further €9 million package to support the elections in Afghanistan. The funding will support the Elections Project managed by the United Nations (UN), to which the European Union (EU) is the biggest single donor. Taken with previous contributions donated towards the preparation of these elections (voters' registration) today's announcement brings the European Commission contribution to €24 million, and when Member States' donations are added, the total EU funding for the entire elections process reaches almost €80 million. Following the successful adoption of the new Constitution on 4 January 2004, the holding of Presidential elections - now scheduled for October 2004 - is the next important milestone for Afghanistan on its road to a democratic future as set out in the Bonn Agreement.

European External Action Service: Afghanistan http://eeas.europa.eu/afghanistan/index_en.htm

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