Afghanistan, Borrell: “We need to talk to the Taliban”

“It is not a question of officially recognizing it, it is a question of talking to them. If you want about 400 people, Afghans and families, who have worked with us, with our delegations, to reach the airport, you will have to talk to them. Taliban authorities, otherwise it will be difficult for them to reach the airport, it would be a complicated logistical operation “. This was declared by the EU High Representative Josep Borrell, at a press conference. Therefore, “deal” with the Taliban authorities, “while remaining very vigilant on compliance with accepted international obligations and on the conditions imposed, as well as on compliance with the resolutions of the Security Council”. The Taliban “won the war” in Afghanistan and the European Union must deal with them, Borrell stressed, insisting on the need to prevent a humanitarian crisis in the country. “We will treat the Afghan authorities as they are”, he added, recalling at the same time the importance of ensuring compliance by the Afghan authorities with their obligations with the international community and underlining the concerns that remain regarding the situation of civil society and in particular of women and girls. When asked about aid to the country, Borrell responded by repeatedly insisting on the need to distinguish humanitarian aid from development assistance not linked to humanitarian needs. “The former – he said – not only must not be reduced, but perhaps they must also increase”. Conditions can be set on the others. The number one priority of the European Union at the moment in Afghanistan is “to ensure the evacuation in the best conditions of safety of the European citizens who are still present in the country and also of the Afghan citizens who have worked with us. for over twenty years and who wish to leave. We cannot abandon them. ” “We must therefore ensure – he added – that the new political situation that has arisen in Afghanistan does not lead to a large-scale migratory movement towards Europe, we must coordinate ourselves and with the transit countries and neighbors”. “It is necessary to get in touch with the authorities in Kabul, we must speak with them to start a dialogue as soon as possible, to avoid a humanitarian disaster. A dialogue that will also have to focus on the means to avoid the return of foreign terrorists to the country” he said. said Borrell. “There are many lessons to be learned from what has happened, we must recognize that mistakes have been made, particularly with regard to the assessment of the military capabilities of the Afghan army to withstand a Taliban offensive,” said the High Representative. EU. “Everyone was surprised by the defeat in a few days of an army to train which we have spent a lot of money and engaged men”.