PESHAWAR, Dec 5: The commissioner of the European Union, Paul Nielson, who arrived here from Kabul on Wednesday, said the European Union was ready to assist the new government in Afghanistan and play its role in the reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.

The commissioner, who sounds optimistic about his meetings with the Northern Alliance leadership in Kabul, said with the installation of a new government in Afghanistan and return of stability, the international community would find new opportunities to work for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Talking to journalists at Shamshato refugee camp, about 30km south of Peshawar, Mr Nielson said he had very constructive meetings with the Northern Alliance President, Prof Burhanuddin Rabbani, and the NA spokesman, Dr Abdullah Abdullah, on Tuesday.

“These conversation reflect the constructive mode of the Northern Alliance leadership, particularly Dr Abdullah Abdullah’s views,” he remarked.

He said during his two-day visit of Kabul, he discussed the humanitarian assistance programmes with the agencies concerned as the EU was planning to organize the reconstruction phase of Afghanistan.

To a question, Mr Nielson said demining activities were among their priorities and the EU had decided to fund some capacity-building programmes from a very early stage in Afghanistan. “The biggest share in Afghanistan will be ours,” he said.

Replying to another question, the commissioner said the EU was providing 100 million euros annually for relief and community development activities in Afghanistan. “We have learnt lessons from the whole period of conflict in Afghanistan and we would not let them down,” he added.

Earlier, Mr Nielson visited vocational training centre, community centre and other centres in Shamshato camp. Additional Commissioner Afghan Refugees Abdul Hafiz briefed the visiting EU commissioner about the ongoing activities in the camp where about 11,000 refugee families have been staying.