Josep Borrell outlined the EU’s stance in a statement after an emergency meeting of European Union foreign ministers on Tuesday to discuss the Taliban’s quick seizure of the Afghan capital, Kabul.
“Cooperation 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 Afghanistan’s international obligations, commitment to the fight against corruption and preventing the use of Afghanistan’s territory by terrorist organizations,” the statement said.
The EU calls on the Taliban to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law in all circumstances. The EU will also support Afghanistan’s neighbours in coping with negative spillovers, which are to be expected from an increasing flow of refugees and migrants,” he added.
Borrell said the EU’s priority is to evacuate EU staff and Afghan helpers from Kabul.
“We have to get in touch with authorities in Kabul … the Taliban have won the war, so we will have to talk to them,” he told a news conference after the meeting, said Borrell.
Courtesy: AL JAZEERA