EU Special Envoy Gilles Bertrand urged inclusive intra-Afghan talks backed by regional cooperation to secure lasting peace during his first visit to Kabul.
Bertrand said he met with Taliban leaders, diplomats, civil society members, and humanitarian players to discuss important concerns facing Afghanistan during his six-day visit to Kabul from October 10 to 17.
Bertrand urged Taliban and Pakistani leaders to respect each other's territorial integrity, follow the cease-fire announced on October 15, and start discussing security concerns again. He underlined that diplomacy, not force, is the best way to achieve long-term stability. He supported the Doha Process, which is led by the United Nations, as a workable path to an inclusive Afghan discourse.
Deputy Prime Minister Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Ministers Abdul Kabir and Deen Mohammad Hanif, Information Minister Sher Ahmad Haqqani, and Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Naeem Wardak were among the high-ranking Taliban officials Bertrand spoke with during the tour.
The statement claims that numerous Taliban interlocutors emphasized advancements in counterterrorism measures, particularly against the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), and opium production reduction. Bertrand emphasized concerns about ongoing cross-border extremist activity while cautiously acknowledging those efforts.
According to Bertrand, he expressed "strong concerns" to Taliban authorities on the increasing limitations placed on women and girls in the political, social, cultural, economic, and civil domains. He reiterated the EU's support for press freedom and denounced the decision to exclude female personnel from U.N. buildings across the country, calling it a bad show to the world community.
He also emphasized how response attempts are complicated by limitations on aid providers. However, since 2021, the EU has spent €1.8 billion on private sector development, health, education, and humanitarian causes.
According to Bertrand, Afghan success depends on a robust private sector. In order to draw in investment, he urged the Taliban to create an open legal and regulatory framework, permit independent business groupings, and make microfinance more accessible to women-owned and informal enterprises. He cautioned that the economy and Afghanistan's reputation as an investment destination had suffered as a result of the 48-hour communication blackout in September.
According to reports, Taliban ministers are interested in luring European investment in a variety of areas. However, Bertrand warned that before businesses commit resources, they require predictable regulations, a stable rule of law, and efficient judicial systems.
In recent years, more than 4 million Afghans have returned from neighboring countries, putting a great deal of strain on housing, services, and livelihoods, Bertrand emphasized.
The EU's approach to Afghanistan is "principled, pragmatic, and people-centered," according to Bertrand. He promised to make frequent trips back and strengthen his bonds with all Afghans who are dedicated to a future that is inclusive, peaceful, and self-sufficient.
What leverage can the EU use to protect women’s rights in Afghanistan?
The European Union interacts with Afghan authorities, regional colleagues, and civil society to advocate for reforms related to women's education, women's employment, and women's protection from gender-based violence. When the EU retains a dialogue with conditions that are grounded in human rights violations, it can continue to exert pressure on state actors without legitimizing the legitimacy of oppressive regimes.
The European Union is supportive of projects and platforms that advance the empowerment of Afghan women who include women's leadership fora and advocacy networks, and others that leverage technology to deliver education, notwithstanding governments' efforts to censor or limit educational opportunities.
Through statements, resolutions, and participation in international fora, the EU advances accountability on the part of Afghan authorities for actions in violation of international law which includes meetings when they condemn discrimination and call for respect for fundamental freedoms.