14 March 2008
Gordon Brown and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico have issued a joint statement following bilateral talks on Afghanistan and the Millennium Develepment Goals.
Read the statement
Afghanistan
We agreed that the continued commitment of the international community and our joint efforts in support of the Afghan Government are crucial to the success of stabilisation and reconstruction in Afghanistan. In this respect, we welcome the planned increase in the Slovak contribution to ISAF in the south of Afghanistan, which we anticipate will rise still further over the coming months. The essential task is to enable the Afghans to assume responsibility for their own security. The NATO Summit in Bucharest needs to demonstrate clear commitment and coherence of approach to achieving those ends, including in relation to the civilian aspects of reconstruction and development. Our efforts must be geared towards ensuring that the Afghan people reap the benefits of security and stability, as they go about their daily lives. We underline the need for the International Community to continue to look for ways to meet the challenges.
Millennium Development Goals
We should also take urgent action on global poverty. We are committed to work together in partnership with businesses, NGOs and others to make 2008, the halfway point towards the Millennium Development Goals, a turning point in the fight against global poverty. The EU can play a lead role in re-energising international efforts to fulfil the historic commitments to meet the Millennium Development Goals and provide a framework for action over the next seven years. We call on other Member States to agree an ambitious MDG action plan at the European Council in June.
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