- Germany, alongside the US and its foreign counterparts, strategise the most efficient ways to maintain a relationship with the Taliban
- The UN Secretary General António Guterres asks for countries to be more conscious when it comes to delivering aid to Afganistan
- Countries attending a conference on the issue agree the Taliban government has to earn support and legitimacy
Germany, alongside the US and its foreign counterparts, have strategised the most efficient ways of maintaining a relationship with the Taliban in a conference held yesterday.
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the US would not accept the current form of Afghani governance as legitimate.
“No one in this administration, not the president nor anyone on the national security team, would suggest that the Taliban are respected and valued members of the global community,” she said.
Meanwhile acting prime minister of Afghanistan Mohammad Hasan Akhund said: “We have suffered heavy losses for this historic moment and the era of bloodshed in Afghanistan is over.”
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German foreign minister Heiko Maas said the support of many countries would offer a more sustainable approach to communication. He added that a physical presence in Afghanistan might be a long term goal.
“If it’s politically possible and if the security situation allows it, Germany should have its own embassy in Kabul,” he said.
Mr Maas said a shared presence by multiple countries would allow for multiple diplomats, experts and humanitarian workers to be based in Afghanistan.
Saudi Arabian minister of foreign affairs Prince Faisal Bin Farhan reinforced Germany’s position, saying the that the kingdom too would support efforts to open communication.
“Saudi Arabia attaches the utmost importance to supporting the ways through which Afghanistan can overcome its current challenges,” he said.
Saudi Arabia previously said that communication with the Taliban should be closely calculated to avoid making the Taliban hostile to external parties.
In yesterday’s meeting, US Secretary of State Anthony Bliken said all the attending nations had agreed unanimously on a position.
“The Taliban seek international legitimacy and support. Any legitimacy, any support, will have to be earned,” Mr Blinken said.
However, the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres highlighted that without international intervention, the humanitarian crisis in the country would continue to slip, with a food and medical shortages on the horizon.
“I appeal to the Security Council — and the international community as a whole — to stand together, to work together and act together, and use all tools at its disposal to suppress the global terrorist threat in Afghanistan and to guarantee that basic human rights will be respected,” Mr Guterres said.