European Union to monitor Afghan election

The EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana has arrived in the Afghan capital of Kabul, ahead of presidential elections next month. Solana's visit came on a day that saw at least 14 people killed in a series of Taliban attacks in the eastern part of the country.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, left, speaks with Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta at the foreign ministry in Kabul, Afghanistan on Tuesday, July 21, 2009.(AP photo)

Solana met Tuesday with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta.

He also held talks with some of the candidates in the upcoming presidential election.

At a news conference, Solana stressed the democratic purpose of the elections.

Javier Solana said, "Our contributions, apart from the forces which are deployed here, it will be the monitoring mission that will observe the election. The mission of the Afghan people is to have an electoral process which is credible, which is perfect, is the same ambition that we have."