To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of co-operation between EU member states on work on Afghanistan’s development and reconstruction strategy; and if he will make a statement. (270102)

The implementation of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) in June 2008 has improved co-operation between EU member states. International donors are now aligning their support behind a nationally-owned and implemented strategy for development and reconstruction.

EU member states meet regularly to review the European Commission’s Country Strategy for Afghanistan (2007-13). The EU Code of Conduct on the Division of Labour in Development Policy guides discussions on how member states will support the Government of Afghanistan.

EU member states also support the overall co-ordinating role of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The Government of Afghanistan and UNAMA recently secured EU member state and other donor support for new nationally-led strategies for private sector development and agriculture.