On Afghanistan
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2. März 2022 In Aktuell, EN

On Afghanistan

The situation in Afghanistan is a wakeup call for the EU to reassess the international approach to nation-building abroad and strategically reshape an integrated approach of its external policies. It is also a wakeup call to increase its share of responsibility in global security and to seek greater sovereignty in its foreign and security policy.

The dramatic humanitarian, political, economic and security situation in Afghanistan is very concerning, particularly as one in three Afghans face severe hunger. I call on the Commission and EEAS to step up humanitarian aid and to use all tools available in order to ensure that Afghans at risk have access to protection. The Taliban regime must bear responsibility and accountability for the protection of human life and property and for the restoration of security, civil order and public services. Afghan women and girls, people in professions linked with Afghan civil society, human rights defenders, political activists, journalists, academics, artists, religious and ethnic minorities and other groups at risk, like all Afghan people, deserve to live in safety, security and dignity and to have full access to education and public life.

I welcome the broad international support for their rights and freedoms. I call for the further evacuation of Afghans at risk, notably women judges, human rights defenders, journalists, local staff and other persons at risk due to their activities in promoting democracy and fundamental freedoms.

The EU should preserve the achievements of the last 20 years and ensure that Afghanistan does not become once more a safe haven for terrorist groups. I call for the EU to conduct a thorough scrutiny of and draw lessons from our 20-year engagement in Afghanistan and for a comprehensive lessons-based EU strategy for Afghanistan and the surrounding countries to immediately be developed. It is important to cooperate with neighbouring and regional countries to ensure global security and regional stability, while bearing in mind that not all of Afghanistan’s neighbours and regional powers shared the same goals as the US-led coalition.