The European Union on Thursday welcomed the commitments made by Afghan President Hamid Karzai in his inauguration speech and urged him to turn the commitments into action.

Karzai and his new government must deliver "rapid and tangible results" on improved security and improved governance, decisive action against corruption and drug trafficking, economic growth, peace and reconciliation and increased stability through regional integration and cooperation, Sweden, the current rotating EU presidency, said in a statement.

Karzai was sworn in for a second four-year term earlier Thursday.

"The EU looks forward to a rapid formation of a cabinet and agrees with President Karzai that ministers need to be appointed on their merits, have integrity and a professional approach to serving the nation," said the statement.

The EU also welcomed the fact that in his speech President Karzai reached out to his political opponents to achieve national unity.

The EU will step up its engagement in support of Afghanistan inline with its recently adopted Plan for Strengthened EU Action, the statement added.

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• Obama urges Karzai to improve governance

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