On Thursday 2 and Friday 3 September, EU Foreign Affairs Ministers will meet in Kranj (Slovenia) to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, the EU’s approach to the Gulf States and relations between the EU and China.
On Thursday, the ministers will start their discussions with the situation in Afghanistan, which will have long-term implications for the EU and the international community, according to an EU source.
Although the discussion was planned before the fall of Kabul, it is expected nevertheless be a follow-up to the extraordinary meeting on 17 August.
The ministers will reportedly address the issues of freedom to leave the country, humanitarian aid, the future of development aid, security and what the situation will mean at regional level.
According to an EU source, the ministerial discussion will include ways to engage with the Taliban. EU representatives already have political contacts with the Taliban. The level of EU engagement with the Taliban is conditional and will depend on their attitude and compliance with their commitment to let leave those who wish to do so.
A political dialogue with the Taliban does not mean recognition, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said on Twitter. According to the European source, the question of recognition is not yet on the agenda.
On Friday, the ministers will discuss how the EU should approach the Gulf region, which has seen many developments over the past year, including Israel’s rapprochement with some of these States, improved relations within the Gulf Cooperation Council and contacts between Saudi Arabia and Iran. “The EU wants to cooperate with the Gulf countries in order to have a more regional approach”, explained an EU source.
Ministers will also discuss the relationship with China. This is their first meeting since March and ahead of the October European Council where China is expected to be discussed. The Lithuanian minister could discuss with his counterparts the tensions between his country and Beijing following the country’s decision to open a representation in Taiwan.
Furthermore, the same minister could inform his counterparts about the migration situation on his country’s border with Belarus, with the sending of migrants and refugees by the Belarusian regime.
After the meeting, the ministers will host a working lunch with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss relations with China and the EU’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)