During a quick debate in the plenary session of the European Parliament on Tuesday, 8 June, MEPs called on the EU to continue to support Afghanistan after international troops are withdrawn.
This withdrawal worries both MEPs and High Representative of the Union Josep Borrell, particularly with regard to the future of Afghan women and the societal progress made during the last 20 years.
For Elena Yoncheva (S&D, Bulgaria), the EU must review its policies: it can no longer limit itself to economic aid but [must] “act as a global factor in the region”.
“The EU must continue to play an important role in the country’s reconstruction. The projects launched must be continued. And Afghanistan must be given a prominent place in the new European Global instrument,” added Rasa Juknevičienė (EPP, Lithuania).
But the opinion of her fellow countryman in Renew Europe Petras Auštrevičius is that development aid must be conditioned on women’s rights—including their education and participation in public life—and the rights of children and minorities. “Continuing the fight against corruption, ensuring good governance and transparent use of financial support [...] must be an EU condition, not a hopeful wish,” he added.
Erik Marquardt (Greens/EFA, Germany) felt that the EU should help Afghans who have supported the international community and should prevent them from being threatened. Moreover, in his opinion, it makes no sense, given the situation in the country, for Afghans who are seeking asylum in the EU to be sent back.
Mr Borrell promised that the EU would make every effort to support the peace process and would remain a partner of the country. “Let’s be realistic: it’s going to be hard, and we will have to show political will if we want to continue engaging with Afghanistan,” he warned.
He added, “We have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option. Firstly, because in the last 20 years, we have invested significant political capital and financial resources to support Afghanistan’s stability and development. And also we have lost quite an important number of lives of our soldiers”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)