TALIBAN MET WITH EU TO DISCUSS DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE IN KABUL

Fri 10 September 2021:

According to an internal EU memo, the European Union is working on how to ensure security for a limited EU diplomatic presence in Kabul after the Taliban said in discussions that they would welcome such a move, Bloomberg reported.

According to the note, which was obtained by Bloomberg News, the most difficult issue to resolve is the safety of facilities and convoys, and that the return of any officials does not imply recognition of the Taliban administration.

EU ambassadors were briefed Wednesday on meetings with the Taliban after the bloc’s Afghanistan envoy visited Qatar. The EU made clear that it would continue working to send a limited number of personnel in Kabul mostly to address evacuations and the delivery of humanitarian aid. In the meantime, EU outposts in Qatar and Pakistan would continue to act as the bloc’s hubs for Afghanistan, according to the memo.

According to the letter, several member states said it was critical key to maintain a presence, while others advised against giving the impression that the EU was formally recognizing the Taliban government. The EU informed the diplomats that the bloc would have to recognize that it would have to rely on and communicate with the Taliban on security matters.

The diplomats were also advised that the Taliban were willing to grant landing permissions to the EU, but only if they were notified ahead of time. The group also stated that female humanitarian workers in the nation would not be targeted.

The EU has set many conditions for unfreezing funding to Afghanistan, including the creation of humanitarian corridors. The financial situation in the country is described as “very concerning,” with a serious possibility of economic collapse and an increase in migration movements, according to the letter.

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