EU ministers outline conditions for relations with Taliban
European Union officials on Friday listed a set of conditions for defining the EU's level of engagement with the Taliban as the new rulers of Afghanistan, including respect for human rights and the rule of law. EU officials have said they are willing to cooperate with the Taliban now that they have returned to power.
Following meetings with European foreign affairs ministers in Slovenia, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that to gauge the Taliban's good will, the bloc would use several benchmarks. They include a guarantee that Afghanistan won't become a base for “the export of terrorism to other countries," a commitment to free access for humanitarian aid deliveries, and adhering to standards in the areas of human rights, rule of law and press freedom.
Borrell stressed that the EU also wants to see an inclusive transition government formed in Afghanistan and the Taliban to honor their pledge to let foreigners and those who fear for their lives leave the country.
“Our engagement will depend on the fulfillment of these conditions," Borrell said. Borrell said that ministers agreed to establish a “joint European Union presence" in Kabul, if security conditions are met. Foreign affairs ministers also acknowledged the need to coordinate with Afghanistan's neighbors through an EU regional political platform of cooperation aimed at stabilizing the whole region. “This political platform will consider, among other issues, the management of population flows from Afghanistan; the prevention of the spread of terrorism; the fight against organized crime, including drug trafficking and human being smuggling," Borrell said.
https://www.courthousenews.com/eu-ministers-outline-conditions-for-relations-with-taliban/