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Sunday, December 08, 2024  
05 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446  

EU may open diplomatic mission in Afghanistan 'within weeks': report

In a statement following talks with the Taliban a week ago, the European Union suggested it could open a mission soon
The European Union is assessing the feasibility of sending diplomats back to Kabul.— File Photo
The European Union is assessing the feasibility of sending diplomats back to Kabul.— File Photo

European Union on Tuesday said it plans to reopen diplomatic mission in Kabul as the bloc is looking to enhance its engagement with the Taliban government, Arab News reported.

In a statement following talks with the Taliban a week ago, the European Union suggested it could open a mission soon.

“The EU delegation underlined that the possibility of establishing a minimal presence on the ground in Kabul, which would not entail recognition, will directly depend on the security situation, as well as on effective decisions by the de facto authorities to allow the EU to ensure adequate protection of its staff and premises,” the statement read.

Last month the EU sent an exploratory mission to Afghanistan to assess the feasibility of sending diplomats back to Kabul.

Earlier on Saturday French President Emmanuel Macron said several European nations were considering opening a joint diplomatic mission in Afghanistan.

It would not mean recognition of the country’s Taliban rulers, Macron stressed while talking to reporters in Doha.

Western countries have been grappling with how to engage with the Taliban, which took over Afghanistan in August as US-led forces were completing their pullout after 20 years of war.

“We are thinking of an organisation between several European countries … a common location for several Europeans, which would allow our ambassadors to be present,” Macron said.

“This is a different demarche than a political recognition or political dialogue with the Taliban … we will have a representation as soon as we can open,” he added.

The French president asserted that this initiative would not signal political recognition or political dialogue with the Taliban.

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