Attacks earlier this week at a military base in Kandahar Province, at a police training centre in Gardez, and in Ghazni have also claimed many lives. We send our heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost loved ones, as well as to the Afghan authorities, and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded.

Afghan families, the Afghan government, and the European Union as a partner of the country have mourned such losses on too many occasions. But such attacks do nothing to dampen our collective resolve to bring peace, stability and prosperity to Afghanistan. We will continue to work for the people of the country, and in doing so will remain united in fighting what is a global threat of terrorism. Peace in Afghanistan would benefit not only its people, but Afghanistan's neighbours, the wider region, and the international community at large. The time for action for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process is now. The European Union is and will stay a partner for peace and stability.