The European Union is in technical contact with the Taliban, but is not engaged in political negotiations and does not intend to recognise it
This was stated by the President of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, on Saturday, after she visited a temporary reception centre for Afghan refugees in Spain. The press conference was broadcast by the European Commission press service.
“The European Union is in operational contact with the Taliban, they are necessary to save lives. But it is not about any political negotiations or recognition”, – she said.
It is also noted that the European Commission intends to expand the humanitarian aid package for Afghanistan beyond the planned €57 million in 2021, at the same time Brussels announced the freezing of a €1 billion economic aid package intended for Afghanistan over the next seven years.
“The European Commission intends to expand the humanitarian aid package for Afghanistan beyond the planned €57 million, concrete proposals will follow soon”, – von der Leyen said.
However, she stressed that the EU would freeze the €1 billion economic aid package to Afghanistan over the next seven years and would not channel it until the Taliban “start respecting human, minority and women’s rights”.