International aid linked to electoral reforms

KABUL (Pajhwok): Diplomats from the United Nations, the US, the UK and the European Union (EU) on Wednesday called on Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah at his office in Kabul.

At the meeting, various issues of mutual interest came up for discussion, a statement from the CEO’s office said. The two sides talked in detail about foreign assistance for holding elections in Afghanistan.

The international community’s representatives put renewed emphasis on early electoral reforms in Afghanistan and linked international assistance to the impoverished nation with free and fair future elections, the statement said.

 “Countries who provide funds for elections in Afghanistan want prompt electoral reforms so that the conduct of fair elections is made possible,” the visitors stressed.

The CEO thanked the international community for continued support to Afghanistan to help the country strengthen its institutions and the electoral bodies.

Abdullah said the government was committed to bringing electoral reforms and a committee had been formed in this regard, which would soon start its work.

nh/ma