EU welcomes U.S. to reinforce engagement in Afghanistan

STOCKHOLM, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) expressed its welcome on Wednesday to the announcement by President Barack Obama that the United States will further reinforce its engagement in Afghanistan.

"This announcement comes at a time of renewed focus and engagement by the international community as a whole. The European Union stands ready to work closely with the United States and other parts of the international community in addressing the challenges in Afghanistan," Sweden, the current rotating presidency of EU, said in a statement.

The 27-nation bloc reiterated its strategic partnership with the United States in the region.

It further stressed the importance of close and strategic coordination of the international efforts, under the lead of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.

The EU remains determined to enhance and improve its engagement in Afghanistan in accordance with the Plan for Strengthened EU Action in Afghanistan and Pakistan, adopted by the Council of the European Union on 27 October 2009, the statement added.

After months of review, the Obama administration on Tuesday renewed its strategy for Afghanistan by sending 30,000 additional troops to the country in a decisive war against the al-Qaida network and extremists.