Even during the Taliban era, the European Union was still present in the country. Based in Peshawar at that time, ECHO worked to provide an emergency aid to the Afghan people. During these troubled times, when the Taliban government was issuing directives to force NGOs out of the country, ECHO did everything in its power to continue to deliver aid to those who most needed it in Afghanistan. The focus was on demining, safe drinking water, sanitation, safe housing for returning displaced people and relief for women and other vulnerable groups. In 2002, the European Union launched its first representation in Afghanistan. Since then, the EU has been one of the major actors in Afghanistan and one of its biggest donors.

Afghanistan continues to struggle from the impact of conflict. The enthusiasm triggered by the fall of the Taliban in 2001 started to turn to disillusionment as, from 2005 onwards, the state struggled to maintain security and control over its territory and failed to deliver on the aspirations of citizens for a prosperous and peaceful Afghanistan. Despite this, substantial improvements have been achieved in terms of access to basic health services, education and agriculture.

The EU has always considered assistance to Afghanistan and the region as a priority. Many Member States have participated, since January 2006, in the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and all are present in the country either through their embassies or through the EU Delegation.

The European Union and its Member States are committed to combating the threat from international terrorism and increasing the security of European citizens while significantly ensuring that Afghans are able to have a normal life. In this respect for the EU the overall mission is to support the development of an effective Afghan State capable of fulfilling the political, social and economic rights of its people and to encourage the peaceful expression of conflicting views without resorting to violence. It is also of the utmost importance for the European Union to help build the foundations of a sustainable network of public institutions that can guarantee the gains witnessed during the last eleven years, particularly in the area of women rights, and help shape sustainable economic development for the country.

The EU and Member States have been major donors in supporting the development of a stable and prosperous Afghanistan and currently spend more than €1 billion a year in development aid in the country. Their commitment is for the long term reflected in the fact that they have agreed to maintain their support for Afghanistan at current levels for the years to come. In a country where an estimated 36 percent of Afghans still live below the poverty line, and the population continues to experience high rates of malnutrition and food insecurity, the EU is also providing much needed humanitarian aid and contributing to the elimination of poverty.

The Lisbon Treaty, ratified by the 27 EU Member States in 2009, was a major achievement. This treaty includes key changes aimed at increasing the consistency and coherence of the EU's external actions. It provided the EU with its own Diplomatic Service – The EU External Action Service (EEAS), currently led by High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton. The Lisbon Treaty has considerably changed the EU footprint in Afghanistan as it has done all around the world. It has strengthened the role of the EU in international relations and provided it with a single voice. For example, instead of two different representatives, the Head of the European Union delegation (HoD) and the EU Special Representative (EUSR) is now one and the same person. I therefore represent, negotiate and coordinate on behalf of the EU and work