Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-10-26-Speech-3-303"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20051026.20.3-303"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:translated text |
"Madam President, I should like to pay tribute to the Commissioner and to Mrs Bonino for her proactive approach. I should also like to pay tribute to Mr Salafranca, who headed the delegation, for his work.
This issue is one of extreme complexity. Afghanistan can look back on a proud history during which the Afghan highlanders fought against invaders. At the same time, however, there can be no question that in some senses the country could be said to export drugs to the rest of the world. I am glad that the European Union is not turning its back on Afghanistan, and that the European taxpayer, to put it quite bluntly, is funding measures to promote democracy in a country that would appear to have been forgotten by God and the world. It goes without saying that it would be nothing short of disastrous if the Americans were the only ones to take any interest in Afghanistan. Regardless of the cost, I am glad that the European Union is funding the arduous and long-winded process of democracy-building in Afghanistan, and that we provided genuine assistance during the recent elections. I believe that this was a turning point, although it remains to be seen how long the trend will continue.
We should obviously bear in mind the fact that a large number of countries exert an influence over Afghanistan, whether in political or economic terms. It is worth noting that the country is undoubtedly a focus of Iranian and also Pakistani interests, as well as of American interests.
Mention should also be made of the quite incredible fact that the vast majority of Afghanistan’s revenue comes from the drugs trade, with the state budget only covering one third of civil servants’ salaries. Without US and EU aid the country would quite simply not exist. We should ask ourselves a very straightforward question, namely whether Afghanistan would not export terrorism to the rest of the world to an even greater extent than it does now if we did not provide it with financial aid. I believe that it is worth lending our support to the process of democratisation in the country.
There is a further point that needs to be made. It is a well-known fact that Europeans are more highly valued, or perhaps more accepted in Afghanistan than our American friends. This is a signal of sorts that the EU should concern itself more with Afghanistan, and that we should maintain our presence in the country. I should like to thank all the Members of the House who flew the European Union’s flag in Afghanistan, and showed the Afghan people that we want to help them.
I believe that this debate is proof of Parliament’s interest in this key issue. Afghanistan is not some far-off land, but a truly European problem."@en1
|
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples