Today (24 August), the G7 joined by the Secretaries General of the United Nations (UN) and NATO met virtually to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. In a joint statement they described their commitment to the people of Afghanistan as ”steadfast”, writes Catherine Feore in EU Reporter.
Following the meeting, European Council and Commission Presidents Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen spoke to journalists.
Michel said that the first priority of the EU was the safe evacuation of the coalition’s citizens, Afghan staff, and their families, however he raised concern about their ability to safely reach Kabul airport: “We call on the new Afghan authorities to allow free passage to all foreign, and Afghan citizens, who wish to get to the airport.
“We have also raised this issue with our American friends and partners on two particular aspects: first, the need to secure the airport, as long as necessary, to complete the operations; and second, a fair and equitable access to the airport, for all nationals entitled to evacuation.”
Von der Leyen emphasized the need to help women and girls; she said that the Commission will propose to quadruple the humanitarian aid coming from the EU budget raising it from €50 to €200 million for 2021, this will help meet urgent needs in Afghanistan, but also in neighbouring host countries.
On the geopolitical implications of recent events, Michel felt the need to say that the end of the military operation in Afghanistan is not the end of the EU’s commitment to promoting rule of law, democracy, and human rights in the world. Rather, he said that it should make us more determined than ever: “This must be clear to actors who are trying to take advantage of the current situation. The EU will continue to firmly protect and promote its interests and values.”
Michel also said that there will be more lessons to draw from what happened in Afghanistan: “These events show that developing our strategic autonomy, while keeping our alliances as strong as ever, is of the utmost importance, for the future of Europe. In due time, I will propose a discussion on this question to my fellow leaders of the European Council.”
The United States has an agreement with the Taliban, which overthrew Afghanistan’s former Western-backed government, to withdraw US forces by 31 August, including from Kabul airport.
Many fear that past this deadline, the Taliban will simply close the airport.
Despite the current pace of evacuation, which has involved dozens of military transport planes from the United States and around the world, many thousands of Afghans who officials and advocacy groups say face potential retribution at the hands of the Taliban, will not be able to leave by Biden’s deadline.
Since 14 August, more than 70,000 people, including American citizens, NATO personnel and Afghans at risk, have been evacuated from Kabul, Biden said on Tuesday.
The Taliban warned Monday there would be “consequences” if the United States and its allies try to remain in Afghanistan beyond the agreed deadline.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the top condition of the G7 agreement was that militants must allow safe passage to Afghans wanting to leave the country even after that deadline.
The G7 has made it a priority that Afghanistan’s new Taliban rulers break all ties with terrorist organisations and that the Taliban must engage in the fight against terrorism, an official at the French presidency said.
EJP contributed to this report.