Böll Lunch Lecture: Is Europe willing and able to stabilise Afghanistan?

To justify Germany's military mission in Afghanistan, former Defense Minister Peter Struck once said: ''Our security must also be defended on the Hindukush.'' This realisation seems to be lost in Europe. The readiness to send troops is almost non-existent and even the EU´s civilian contribution in Afghanistan seems hardly adequate. Meanwhile, the security situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating. Six years after the collapse of the Taliban regime, US, Canadian and European troops are fighting a resurgent Taliban. Should Europe reinforce its military and civilian involvement? How should its military capacities be deployed in relation to NATO and the UN? What role can the EU´s special Representative in Kabul play? Can Afghanistan be stabilised without engaging Pakistan and, finally, is it possible and advisable to negotiate with the Taliban?

Speakers:
Christa Meindersma, Deputy Director External Affairs and Director Conflict Management at The Hague Centre of Strategic Studies, HCSS
Daniel Korski, Senior Policy Fellow, European Council of Foreign Relations
Bettina Muscheidt, European Commission, External Relations Directorate-General/H4, Desk Afghanistan
 
Moderator:
Marianne Ebertowski, Director CFSP EU Regional Office Heinrich Böll Foundation, Brussels