Josep Borrell, the EU’s prime diplomat, on Tuesday referred to as for dialogue with the Taliban in Afghanistan to forestall a humanitarian disaster — however made clear that doesn’t imply worldwide recognition.
“We’ve to get in contact with authorities in Kabul … no matter they’re. The Taliban have gained the warfare,” he mentioned, talking after a video assembly of EU international ministers at which they mentioned the scenario in Afghanistan after the Islamist militants took over the nation extra quickly than anticipated in Washington and Brussels.
“We’ll have to speak with them as a way to have interaction in a dialogue, as quickly as mandatory, to forestall a humanitarian and potential migratory catastrophe,” he added, mentioning one of many greatest fears of EU officers — that the scenario in Afghanistan might set off a migration disaster just like the one from Syria in 2015. Such dialogue “will even should concentrate on the means to forestall international terrorist presence in Afghanistan,” he added, referring to the opposite large worry in lots of capitals (Brussels itself was hit by a terrorist assault in 2016).
Borrell additionally introduced that he’ll ship a “reinforcement” of the EU delegation in Kabul so as “to pursue a dialogue with the Taliban for sensible issues,” mentioning as a precedence the necessity to evacuate about 400 Afghans and their households who labored for the EU.
Borrell described the occasions of latest days as “crucial geopolitical occasion that has occurred since Crimea was taken by Russia,” admitting that errors have been made whereas saying “it was not the European Union that determined to depart Afghanistan.” That call was taken by “President [Donald] Trump” and “applied later by the next American administration.”
The Taliban have to this point tried to painting a extra reasonable picture and whereas EU international ministers have been assembly, the militant group held a press convention wherein they tried to reassure Afghans and the worldwide group about their intentions.
But Borrell wasn’t impressed. “They appear the identical, however they converse higher English,” he mentioned.
When an Afghan journalist got here near tears as he requested Borrell to not acknowledge the Taliban (the same factor occurred throughout a press convention by NATO Secretary-Normal Jens Stoltenberg) with out setting clear circumstances, the EU prime diplomat mentioned: “I’ve heard your emotions and issues.
“I didn’t say we’re going to acknowledge the Taliban, I’ve simply mentioned we’ve to speak with them … and we’ll put circumstances” on any EU assist, he added, repeating that respect for human rights and U.N. resolutions shall be key (the circumstances have been additionally set out in a assertion printed on the finish of the two-hour EU assembly).
“We’re going to use … all our leverage as a way to make the human rights be revered,” Borrell pressured, including that he was conscious that it “appears a little bit bit wishful pondering.”