Council of theEuropean Union
Brussels, 15 September 2021
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COASI 130
ASIE 35
CFSP/PESC 829
COHAFA 66
DEVGEN 152
SUSTDEV 114
COPS 318
POLMIL 138
MIGR 186
NOTE
From:
To:

General Secretariat of the Council
Delegations

Subject:

Council conclusions on Afghanistan

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Council conclusions on Afghanistan
1.

The European Union remains committed to peace and stability in Afghanistan and tosupporting its people.

2.

The overthrow of a constitutionally based government by the Taliban endangers the civil,
political, social, economic and cultural rights, and the gains made over the last two decades,
which were supported by the EU and which the state of Afghanistan has committed itself
through international conventions and covenants.

3.

The situation in Afghanistan is a major challenge for the international community as a whole.
It could have a profound negative impact on regional stability, human rights, the fight against
terrorism, trafficking in drugs and human beings, organised crime, and on efforts addressing
forced displacement, preventing illegal migration and its possible instrumentalisation forhybrid threats.

4.

Since August 2021, the international community, including the EU and its Member States,
undertook a collective effort, under extreme circumstances, to evacuate thousands of EU
citizens and third country nationals, including Afghans who worked for diplomatic missions
and other Afghans at risk, due to their principled engagement for our common values. This
was a true demonstration of EU solidarity. The EU is grateful for the strong partnership of theUS, NATO, its allies, and countries in the region in this regard.

5.

The EU mourns the loss of lives in the cowardly attack at the international airport of Kabul on
26 August. We condemn such terrorist attacks and call for the perpetrators to be brought tojustice.

6.

The EU strongly condemns the recent use of violence and intimidation against demonstrators,
journalists, media workers, human rights defenders and others by the Taliban. Accountability
for human rights violations and abuses and violations of international law must be ensured.

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The rights of women and girls are of particular concern. The actions of the Taliban directedagainst women and girls and the violation of their rights are highly worrying. Free and equal
access to health, employment and education are essential, as well as freedom of movement.
The EU expects meaningful political, social and economic leadership and participation ofwomen in the Afghan society. The EU support will depend on the respect of the international
legal framework and norms on human rights including on women’s and girls’ rights.

8.

The EU and its Member States’ operational engagement, in the interest of the EU and of theAfghan people, will be carefully calibrated to the policies and actions of the Talibanappointed caretaker cabinet, and does not bestow any legitimacy on it.

9.

The Council has agreed on the following benchmarks for policies and actions under theTaliban appointed caretaker cabinet that would serve as guiding principles for future
engagement:a)Allow the safe, secure and orderly departure of all foreign nationals, and Afghans whowish to leave the country in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2593 (2021), in
the full respect of the freedom of movement.

b)Promote, protect and respect all human rights, in particular the full enjoyment of rights
of women and girls, as well as children and persons belonging to minorities, and respect
the rule of law and freedom of speech and of the media, with specific attention tohuman rights defenders.

c)Allow the implementation of humanitarian operations in Afghanistan in line with thehumanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence and fullrespect of International Humanitarian Law. The Taliban must respect the independenceof humanitarian operations and guarantee for all humanitarian staff, including all female
staff, the safe and unhindered access to the entire territory. Safety of beneficiaries ofhumanitarian aid must be ascertained and all of them must have free and unhindered
access to aid services.

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Prevent Afghanistan from serving as a base for hosting, financing or exporting terrorism
to other countries. All efforts must be pursued to ensure that the Taliban cease all directand indirect ties with international terrorism.

e)

Establish an inclusive and representative government through negotiations. In thisregard, the EU will continue to call for the establishment of a government that isbalanced and with inclusive representation, including all ethnic and religious minorities,
ensuring meaningful participation of women in decision-making positions. It is an
essential condition for lasting peace and the stabilisation of the country and the region.
The participation in the caretaker cabinet of persons sanctioned by the UN Security
Council raises serious concerns.

10.

Against these benchmarks, the EU will assess the policies and the actions of the Taliban, nottheir words. In a coordinated manner, the EU and its Member States will use all available
tools to closely monitor and respond to developments on the ground, also keeping in mind theconclusions of the Geneva donors’ conference in 2020 and the conditions for continued
support.

11.

In order to support the Afghan population and to pursue EU objectives, the Council agreed on
the need for strong coordination in engaging with relevant international partners on
Afghanistan. The UN remains an indispensable partner and a key actor on the ground. The EUand its Member States welcome UN Security Council Resolution 2593 (2021), which sends aclear, strong and united message on the international community’s expectations and demands
that must be transformed into concrete actions on a long-term basis as regards the situation inAfghanistan.

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The EU and its Member States welcome the UN high-level humanitarian conference for
Afghanistan as convened by UNSG Guterres on 13 September 2021 and collectively pledged
EUR 677m at the conference. The EU will intensify its work with the UN, the World Bankand relevant local, regional and international actors in addressing the humanitarian anddevelopment challenges in Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries. The EU will alsoprioritise collaboration with NATO and its allies, and other partners, including the G7 and theG20 in light of its inclusiveness.

13.

A minimal EU presence on the ground in Kabul, dependent on the security situation, wouldfacilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, including to the large number of IDPs, andmonitoring of the humanitarian situation. It could also coordinate and support the departure of
remaining EU citizens, work on consular matters and manage the free passage of Afghans
who could be received in Member States. Individual Member States will decide on those
persons they are willing to receive under their protection on a voluntary basis, in accordancewith the statement on the situation in Afghanistan adopted by the Council on 31 August 2021,
the importance of which is reconfirmed.

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As a matter of high priority, the EU is to initiate a regional political platform of cooperation
with Afghanistan’s direct neighbours. This platform will provide the opportunity to enhancecooperation and the EU’s support for the prevention of negative spill-over effects in
Afghanistan’s neighbourhood, as also identified in the statement on the situation in
Afghanistan adopted by the Council on 31 August 2021, as well as for economic resilienceand regional economic cooperation, and for humanitarian and protection needs. It will build
on existing relations between the EU and these countries, and on other initiatives, such as theTeam Europe Initiative on the Afghan regional displacement crisis, the Regional Refugee
Preparedness and Response Plan of the United Nations and the Solutions Strategy for AfghanRefugees. This platform is coordinated by the European External Action Service, in close
cooperation with the Commission, making use of all relevant EU instruments and also
gathering strong contributions from Member States. It will combine sustained politicalengagement with concrete practical initiatives and support. In this regard, the EU will work
closely with international partners and relevant international organisations.

15.

The Council remains seized of the issue, and will notably revert to this matter at its next
meeting in October.

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