Several European countries are working to open a joint diplomatic mission in Afghanistan that will allow ambassadors to return to the country, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday.
When the radical Islamist organization “Taliban” took power in Kabul in August, the United States and other Western countries closed their embassies and removed diplomats. The Taliban have since declared a caretaker government, with many ministers subject to UN and US sanctions.
“We are talking about an organization among several European countries, a common place for several Europeans, which would allow us to ensure the presence of our envoys,” Macron told reporters in Doha, Qatar.
“This is a different démarche from political recognition and political dialogue with the Taliban. We will have a representation as soon as we can open it,” he said.
Weeks ago, after talks with the Taliban, the European Union signaled that a mission could be opened soon.
Following the withdrawal of US and other foreign military contingents from Afghanistan, the Taliban launched a general offensive operation in August and quickly seized almost the entire territory of the country, but on August 15, the capital, Kabul, fell into their hands.
The only province in Afghanistan that had not come under Taliban control was Punjab for some time, but the Taliban leadership announced on September 6 that the Islamist movement had also taken over the province.
The United States, Europe and others are wary of recognizing the Taliban’s interim government, accusing the Taliban of failing to promise to form a politically and ethnically inclusive government and to respect the rights of women and minorities.
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