EU officials on Friday listed a set of conditions for defining the EU level with the Taliban as Afghanistan’s new rulers, including respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Following the collapse of the Afghan government last month, the 27-nation bloc and its member states have pulled their diplomats out of Afghanistan. But EU officials have said they are now ready to cooperate with the Taliban as they return to power.
The EU is focusing on providing humanitarian aid, guaranteeing safe passage from the country of Afghan allies and employees who were left behind during the airlift from Kabul, and trying to stop the mass exodus of refugees. which could lead to another migration crisis in Europe.
After a meeting with European foreign affairs ministers in Slovenia, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc would use several benchmarks to measure Taliban goodwill.
They include a guarantee that Afghanistan will not become a base for “exports of terrorism to other countries”, a commitment to free access to humanitarian aid distribution, and adherence to standards in the areas of human rights, the rule of law and press freedom. .
“It is clear that the future of Afghanistan remains a major issue for us,” Borrell said. “It affects us, this region, it affects international stability, and it has a direct impact on European security.”
“At the same time, the ministers emphasized the idea that we are committed to supporting the Afghan population,” he said.
Borrell stressed that the EU also wants to form an inclusive transition government in Afghanistan and the Taliban to honor their pledge to leave the country for foreigners and those who fear for their lives.
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“Our engagement will depend on the fulfillment of these conditions,” Borrell said.
The European Union has suspended development aid to the Afghan government, but has pledged about 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion) for the country for 2021–2024.
To ensure the evacuation of EU citizens and Afghan workers under the protection of member states and to assess how the Taliban respects the terms of the bloc, Borrell said the minister would “in Kabul” on meeting the security conditions. agreed to establish a joint EU presence”.
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs also recognized the need to coordinate with Afghanistan’s neighbors through the EU’s Regional Political Forum of Cooperation with the aim of stabilizing the entire region.
“This political forum will consider, among other issues, the management of the population from Afghanistan; prevention of the spread of terrorism; The fight against organized crime, including drug trafficking and human trafficking,” Borrell said.
Slovenian Foreign Minister Ange Logar, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, said such cooperation would seek to “stop any future migration flows” to the bloc.
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