Members of the Taliban declared interim Afghan government asked the European Union for help in maintaining operations at Afghan airports at a meeting with an EU delegation on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 November in Doha.
According to a statement from the European External Action Service on Sunday 28 November, both the Afghan delegation and the Europeans stressed the “fundamental” importance of keeping Afghan airports open.
The Taliban have confirmed their commitment to ensuring and facilitating the safe passage of foreign nationals and Afghans wishing to leave the country. They also reaffirmed their commitment to the “general amnesty” decreed when they came to power and “agreed with the need to amplify this message, and its enforcement, inside Afghanistan”.
The Afghan delegation also explained that it would welcome a return of EU staff to Afghanistan. This return depends both on the security situation and on actual decisions by the authorities enabling the EU to ensure adequate protection of its staff and premises.
The two sides also discussed the deteriorating humanitarian situation. While EU development assistance remains suspended, the EU is considering providing substantial financial assistance for the direct benefit of the Afghan people, in addition to humanitarian aid. Such aid, channelled exclusively through international organisations and NGOs, would help to guarantee essential services (e.g. education and health) and maintain the livelihoods of the population, according to the EEAS.
Respect for the Rule of law, good governance, human rights and fundamental freedoms were also discussed. In particular, the EU delegation called on the interim government to take swift, meaningful and concrete steps towards the establishment of an inclusive government that should pave the way for national reconciliation. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)