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EU to debate Afghan future

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- European Union foreign ministers are to meet to discuss how the 15-nation bloc can best contribute to humanitarian relief efforts and the long-term reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Also on the agenda for Monday's meeting will be the EU's relations with Israel and Iran, both affected by the September 11 attacks on the United States and the ensuing U.S. military strikes against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

"We have to look hard at how we can mobilise resources (to rebuild Afghanistan)," European Commissioner for External Affairs Chris Patten told a news conference on Friday.

The EU has already provided more than 300 million euros ($265 million) of humanitarian aid for Afghanistan and diplomats say more money will soon be on the way.

"Clearly we will be expected to make a substantial contribution (to the reconstruction effort)," said Patten.

He reiterated the EU view that the United Nations should lead the diplomatic drive to restore peace and stability in Afghanistan.

European and U.S. diplomats are worried that the military advances made by the Northern Alliance in recent days, including their occupation of the capital Kabul, could hamper the search for a broad-based post-Taliban government.

"The new administration must be broad-based with a mandate to speak for a majority of the people of Afghanistan," said Patten, who is expected to travel later this month to Islamabad for a conference on Afghan reconstruction.

At Monday's meeting in Brussels, the foreign ministers are expected to consider nominating a German diplomat as the EU's special envoy to Afghanistan in a bid to give the bloc a higher profile as reconstruction efforts gather pace.

Other issues to be discussed include Macedonia, Kosovo after Saturday's elections, EU enlargement and plans to reform the EU institutions and practices.