On 15 March Alfa.lt posted an interview with EU Special Envoy to Afghanistan Vygaudas Usackas.

Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Vygaudas Usackas at the end of February was named EU special envoy to Afghanistan and head of the EU mission in that country. After the Lisbon Treaty came into force, the new post has fused the duties of the EU special envoy and the EU mission head. Alfa.lt spoke to the politician about the problems in Afghanistan after he returned from preparatory meetings in Brussels.

(Alfa.lt) How did you get this post?
(Usackas) It so happened that after my resignation, the competition for the post was being held, and my colleagues EU foreign ministers suggested to me that I should immediately apply for the post. In their opinion, I am a suitable candidate for the strengthened EU role in Afghanistan today, after the Lisbon Treaty’s execution, when no longer the chairman country, but representatives of the common EU diplomatic service (which is being created) will represent, coordinate and will hold talks on behalf of the EU. Thus, I applied, I passed two competition rounds, and I won.

(Alfa.lt) You will be the EU’s envoy. Do you think it may be a problem that you will have to rely on soft power tools more?
(Usackas) We must admit the EU does not act in a vacuum in Afghanistan. First of all, we have the US and NATO military forces that are responsible for hard security and that liquidate terrorist spots in Afghanistan. On the other hand, there are many UN institutions and organizations that contribute to the provision of humanitarian aid and that coordinate the assistance from world countries.

India, Japan and other countries provide huge support; the EU is only one of those countries. The EU is one of the largest aid providers. Together with all the countries, the total value of the aid is approximately one billion euros. One needs to be very realistic and not overestimate the possibilities of today’s political market in Afghanistan. If we are talking about the political process, above all, the interests of the EU and international community is to contribute to the creating of institutions and the strengthening of administrative skills in order to create institutions, which would be staffed with people who have the necessary qualifications to govern Afghanistan at the central level and at the local level – in provinces and regions.

I view the democratic process as a long-term process. Just like the upcoming parliamentary elections that will be held on 18 September. I do not think those are going to be perfect elections, something we see and observe in Lithuania, Germany, or the US. This, however, will be a small part of the long process that Afghanistan’s people in the future will have to develop and expand. I think we need to assess this realistically, but at the same time we need to stimulate people’s participation in the country’s government. We also need to foster certain democratic traditions as much as it is possible in the current situation. Realizing those security challenges, considering the large illiteracy rate – 70-80 per cent of the people in Afghanistan – and understanding the importance of the state of Afghanistan.

(Alfa.lt) The US, however, has been there for many years, but nothing has changed.
(Usackas) I think this year and next year will be critical, because a new government is formed, there is a new US political military strategy, and the EU passed its own action plan. In addition, this spring the big  meeting of various Afghani groups will be held, and the parliamentary elections will be held on 18 September.

I think the nearest two years will show how much the international community can help. We cannot do everything, we can only help foster their necessary administrative skills, offer financial and human resources, help them get rid of corruption, which today is widespread, and help create alternative businesses.

(Alfa.lt) Maybe they do not want our help?
(Usackas) I think they do, but it is a country that is bound by various conflicts and group interests, and this will be a process that will last a few years. It is also very important to involve countries of the region in this process. Afghanistan is closely tied to Pakistan and its security situation depends on Pakistan and relations with other countries.

(Alfa.lt)] Do feel like an EU representative who has the moral right to get involved in the affairs of Afghanistan and the country’s development processes?
(Usackas) I do not see my future duties as a compulsory obligation from outside. I feel the moral duty to help the citizens of Lithuania and the EU as well as the international community in providing assistance and expertise to Afghanistan’s government in order to make sure the country is stable and to make sure it is not a hotbed of terrorism and drug traffic, considering the fact that 90 per cent of all narcotics found on the EU market come from Afghanistan.