The EU side was represented by Britain's foreign minister Jack Straw, the EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana and the external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner (eds: a woman)

Karzai said after the ceremony the accord signifies a continued EU commitment to supporting reforms in Afghanistan.

"The signing today of [the] declaration with Europe is another step in affirming the help and assistance that the European Union is giving to Afghanistan and the importance it attaches to bringing further stability, peace and institution-building to our country,” Karzai said. “The Afghan people are grateful and are sure the continued commitment of the EU to Afghanistan will enhance the stability of the country [and] the strength of the institutions of the country."

The EU has said it will continue to provide significant funds to Afghanistan to improve political and economic governance, the human rights situation, security and advance the fight against drugs.

Ferrero-Waldner said today the EU will reveal the size of its future contribution at an upcoming donors' conference in London.

She said the EU has in the last few years given Afghanistan roughly 4,000 million euro, of which 1,000 million euro has come from the joint EU community budget.