129
The EU will only cooperate with the Afghan government following the Talibanโs return to power if it respects fundamental rights, including those of women, and prevents the use of Afghanistanโs territory by terrorists, the blocโs foreign policy chief said on Tuesday.
Josep Borrell outlined the EUโs stance in a statement after an emergency meeting of European Union foreign ministers to discuss the Talibanโs quick seizure of the Afghan capital Kabul.
He said that to address โthe worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistanโ, the EU would continue to provide assistance to the Afghan people.
โCooperation with any future Afghan government will be conditioned on a peaceful and inclusive settlement and respect for the fundamental rights of all Afghans, including women, youth and persons belonging to minorities, as well as respect for Afghanistanโs international obligations, commitment to the fight against corruption and preventing the use of Afghanistanโs territory by terrorist organisations,โ the statement said.
Borrell called on all actors to allow safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to Afghan women, men and children in need, including to the large number of internally displaced persons.
โThe EU calls on the Taliban to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law in all circumstances. The EU will also support Afghanistanโs neighbours in coping with negative spill overs, which are to be expected from an increasing flow of refugees and migrants,โ he added.
Borrell said the EUโs priority is to evacuate EU staff and Afghan helpers from Kabul.
โWe have to get in touch with authorities in Kabul โฆ the Taliban have won the war, so we will have to talk to them,โ he told a news conference after the meeting.
Starting a dialogue soon was necessary to prevent a potential migratory disaster and a humanitarian crisis, Borrell said.
REUTERS