Josep Borrell – Photo © European Union 2021.jpg
(BRUSSELS) – European Union ministers of foreign affairs stressed the need to ensure the safe evacuation of EU citizens and local staff at an extraordinary meeting to consider latest developments in Afghanistan.
Ministers called for the protection of all human life and for the immediate restoration of security and civil order with respect for fundamental rights.
“Right now, our immediate priority is to ensure safety and security of all European Union’s national and our local Afghan staff and their families,” said the EU’s forweign affairs chief Josep Borrell: “The safe and orderly departure of foreign nationals and Afghans who wish to leave the country must be facilitated.”
Ministers also stressed that cooperation with any future Afghan government will be conditioned on a peaceful and inclusive settlement and respect for the fundamental rights of all Afghans, including women, youth and persons belonging to minorities, as well as respect for Afghanistan’s international obligations, commitment to the fight against corruption and preventing the use of Afghanistan’s territory by terrorist organisations.
A broader discussion among foreign affairs ministers about relations with Afghanistan will take place at the occasion of the informal ministerial meeting of foreign affairs ministers on 2-3 September.
Afghanistan: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union, 17 August 2021
Afghanistan: Joint Statement on the situation of women and girls
