8 months ago. Brussels, Belgium

EU refuses to recognise Taliban, promises help to resettle Afghan migrants

The European Union said that it does not recognise the Taliban
EU further said that it is not in political talks with the Taliban
The EU Commission president pledged help to resettle Afghan refugees

Nearly a week after the Taliban’s violent takeover of Afghanistan, the European Union said that it does not recognise the Taliban, a militant group that has been accused of terrorism. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “We may well hear the Taliban’s words but we will measure them above all by their deeds and actions.” The European Union president further said that the EU was not holding political talks with the militants.

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EU’s head executive was visiting a reception centre in Madrid for Afghan employees of European Union institutions evacuated from Kabul. Speaking on the occasion, Von der Leyen said that she would propose an increase of 57 million euros ($67 million) in humanitarian aid which the European Union commission had allocated this year.

Von der Leyen further said that the development aid by the European Union is tied to respect for human rights, good treatment of minorities and respect for the rights of women and girls. The EU commission president added that the commission was ready to fund European Union nations to help resettle Afghan refugees. She said that she plans to raise the issue of resettlement at a G7 meeting next week.

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In 2015, when nearly a million migrants had come to the EU, mostly from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, the European Union was able to reduce the number of arrivals by striking a deal with Turkey which receives funds from the EU to host asylum seekers in its territory.

The Taliban took over power in Afghanistan last Sunday after ousting the western alliance-backed civilian administration. Taliban’s seizure of power has brought back memories of the group’s brutal rule from 1996 to 2001, a period which saw suppression of civil rights, especially rights of women.

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This time, after taking over power, the Taliban said that there would not be any retaliation, that everyone is forgiven and that women will be allowed to partake in government although in accordance with Sharia law. Despite Taliban’s claims, there have been reports of fighters going door-to-door in search of “collaborators”, those who either worked with the Afghan administration or the western alliance countries.

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EU refuses to recognise Taliban, promises help to resettle Afghan migrants

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