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The Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt has disclosed on Saturday that the European Union will be boosting its political role in Afghanistan.
"We will be in Afghanistan for a long time to come. Our presence is politically oriented," said Bildt, who was addressing a news conference after the conclusion of the two-day informal meeting of the EU foreign ministers in Stockholm.
"On the subject of Afghanistan, we spoke about a strengthened political strategy and strengthening our action there, civil, economic and political action," said Bildt, whose country holds the EU presidency.
Bildt has also disclosed that he regrets the shocking NATO raid which happened near Kunduz City of Afghanistan on Friday, which left almost 150 civilians dead.
"This was a tragedy. I do not think we will win this war by killing," the Swedish foreign minister said.
The EU foreign ministers also paid a big attention to the Middle East peace process.
"We have focused on the Middle East and our concern over the lack of progress in the peace process. We are prepared to do what we can to establish a peace process," Bildt said.
Javier Solana, the spokesperson for EU, said that he anticipates for a faster achievement of peace in the troubled nation.
"We have an opportunity now that we must use to move forward," said Solana, who just returned from traveling in the region.
Both of them urged Israel to scrap plans to build new Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
"The plans are illegal and they are an impediment to the peace process," said Bildt.
"We are very disappointed by some of the statements referred to in the last hours," Solana said. "I hope very much that (Israel's plan) will not be realized."
