The Kabul Tribune (KT)— European governments are quietly expanding talks with Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers over migrant deportations, economic assistance and diplomatic representation, despite officially refusing to recognize the administration, France 24 reported.
The growing engagement reflects a gap between Europe’s
formal policy of non-recognition and the practical need to address migration
and other issues involving Afghanistan.
According to France 24, the report draws on an investigation
by The New York Times’ Pakistan and Afghanistan bureau chief, Elian Peltier,
who said European governments meet with Taliban officials more frequently than
is widely known.
“Even though on paper European governments do not recognise
the Taliban administration, in practice they meet much more frequently than most
of us know,” Peltier said.
The contacts highlight how European governments are pursuing
practical discussions with the Taliban on issues of mutual concern while
maintaining their official position of non-recognition.
The development comes as U.N. experts and human rights
organizations have warned against deporting Afghan migrants to Afghanistan
under Taliban rule, citing severe and unprecedented restrictions imposed by the
country’s ruling authorities.
