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US, EU welcome Karzai's reelection as Afghan leader

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-04 11:25

WASHINGTON: The United States and the European Union on Tuesday sent their congratulations to Afghan President Hamid Karzai for his re-election, saying they are looking forward to working with the new Afghan government.

"We welcome the conclusion of the electoral process, and we congratulate President Hamid Karzai on his reelection. We look forward to the formation of a new government, representing the will of the Afghan people," said a common declaration issued after the 2009 US-EU Summit, which was held in Washington.

"We look forward to working with the new Afghan administration and renewing efforts to promote good governance, respect for human rights, gender equality and democratic development," said the declaration.

Related readings:  Hu congratulates Karzai on reelection  Afghan leader Karzai vows inclusive government  Obama calls Karzai, urges 'new chapter' in Afghanistan  Karzai declared Afghan president  Obama backs Karzai, despite vote-rigging

In their White House meeting, President Barack Obama, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, and Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt of the Swedish EU Presidency discussed situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The Obama administration, who vowed to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda and its extremist allies, has been reviewing an overall strategy of the war in Afghanistan, and considering whether to send additional troops to the war-torn country.

General Stanley McChrystal, top US commander in Afghanistan, warned that the United States would lose the war against al-Qaeda and Taliban without rapidly sending up to 40,000 additional troops to Afghanistan. By the end of this year, according to previous deployment plans, there will a total of 68,000 US troops in Afghanistan.