The Strategist

Josep Borrell: We have to start talks with Taliban



09/06/2021 - 11:31



Brussels needs to begin negotiations with the Taliban, who have established power in Afghanistan.



Pietro Naj-Oleari
Pietro Naj-Oleari
This was stated by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in an interview to the French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche.

"The Taliban is now becoming an unavoidable interlocutor in negotiations for us. We should ensure our presence in Kabul and try to avoid being pushed back by other powers," the diplomat said.

According to him, what happened in Afghanistan was a tragedy for Afghans and a failure for the West. He said conclusions should be drawn from the Taliban's victory over the Afghan government so this would not be repeated in other countries.

In Borrell's opinion, establishing relations with the new authorities in Kabul should not be considered an acceptance of the Taliban government. It is necessary so that the Taliban do not cut themselves off from European states. According to the head of European diplomacy, the EU will quadruple humanitarian aid to Afghanistan if the Taliban respect human rights in the territory under its control.

source: lejdd.fr