On Thursday 1 October, EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Roland Kobia, stressed the importance of respecting the ceasefire in the country, as peace negotiations are under way between the government and the Taliban.
“We all have to be very strict in our language regarding the ceasefire”, he told the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, denouncing an unprecedented level of violence in recent weeks. “The call for a ceasefire must be more unanimous and unambiguous”, the Special Envoy insisted, adding that a cessation of hostilities is no longer sufficient.
Thus, while the Security Council is expected to consider lifting sanctions against the Taliban soon, according to Kobia, if the Taliban want to be removed from the US and UN sanctions, they must show that they are serious about peace. “A ceasefire is an essential component of a serious commitment to peace”, he warned.
The Special Envoy also revealed that the EU had contacts with the Taliban and that the Taliban wanted to normalise relations with the EU and its Member States. “They are interested in our recognition and help”, he explained, saying that no country could move forward without EU assistance. “As the Taliban know, we will provide more funds for reconstruction and with fewer political conditions than other countries”, he said. According to him, the Taliban do not wish to become a pariah state, but to be part of the community of nations.
Mr Kobia also stressed that one should not be in too much of a hurry regarding the negotiations. “The agenda is not important and from time to time, it is necessary to allow the time it takes to reach a good peace agreement”, he explained, adding that the focus should be on the result: a stable, prosperous Afghanistan that allows for peace in the region and the world. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)