Prague - The European Union plans to increase its staff of legal and police advisers in Afghanistan in the coming months, announced EU officials after meeting with their Afghan counterparts in Prague Wednesday.

The current contingent of 180 advisers is expected to rise to 400 under the plan laid out by Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg after meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta.

Schwarzenberg was speaking in the name of the EU presidency, which is currently held by the Czech Republic through June.

He said all sides were in agreement that the advisers needed to strengthen their presence outside of the Afghan capital, Kabul.

EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner also attended the meeting. She said the EU would stick by previous commitment to provide 610 million euros (810.3 million dollars) for infrastructure projects in Afghanistan.

All three emphasized the importance of Afghan presidential elections planned for the fall. (dpa)