Stockholm - The European Union Thursday welcomed remarks by Afghan President Hamid Karzai in his inauguration speech to tackle corruption and combat drug trafficking and other problems. "The president and his new government must show the way forward and deliver rapid and tangible results," the statement issued by the Swedish presidency of the EU said.
Issues that the new Afghan administration needs to take on include improving security, governance and promoting economic growth, peace and reconciliation, the EU statement said.
The 27-nation bloc also called for "improved protection of human rights, especially for women, access to justice and better access to social services" as part of a "contract" between the government and people of Afghanistan.
The EU also welcomed Karzai's reaching "out to his political opponents to achieve national unity."
Karzai was sworn in for a second four-year term earlier Thursday.
