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EU asks India, other nations to give more funds to Afghanistan
New Delhi, June 16: The European Union has asked India and other countries to give more funds for ongoing reconstruction efforts in war-ravaged Afghanistan.
New Delhi, June 16: The European Union has asked India and other countries to give more funds for ongoing reconstruction efforts in war-ravaged Afghanistan.
In letters to India, Pakistan, China, Iran, Japan and others besides the 15 EU member states, EU external relations commissioner Christopher Patten said Afghanistan was now at a "critical juncture".
"It is essential that the afghan government is able to cover its operating expenses," he said.
In March this year, donors had pledged $1.8 billion, maintaining the level of commitment made at the Tokyo conference in January this year.
"It is essential that the afghan government is able to cover its operating expenses," he said.
In March this year, donors had pledged $1.8 billion, maintaining the level of commitment made at the Tokyo conference in January this year.
The European commission contended that there was a serious imbalance between pledges made towards development activities and support for the recurrent budget.
In March this year, donors had pledged $169 million towards an estimated recurrent budget cost of $ 550 million.
Assuming the Afghan government was able to raise, as intended, 200 million dollars in domestic revenues, this still left a funding gap of $181 million.
Bureau Report