Official: EU Engaging With Taliban On Humanitarian Aid, Women Issues
Date
2/17/2023 6:11:51 AM
(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BRUSSELS, Feb 17 (KUNA) -- The European Union (EU) is Politically engaging with the de-facto Taliban rulers in Afghanistan in order to press them to change their edict banning women from working for NGOs and also to finds ways to continue delivering humanitarian assistance, a senior EU official said Friday.
The engagement with Taliban is continuing through the local EU presence in Kabul, the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told journalists.
He noted that EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation in Afghanistan during their formal meeting in Brussels on Monday. The deputy UNSG Amina Mohammad will join the discussions on Afghanistan via a videoconference.
The Taliban's ban on women working for NGOs has impeded the delivery of much needed aid to Afghan people and therefore the EU foreign ministers will discuss how the EU and its member states can react and continue their direct support to Afghan people, he added.
The official categorically denied any EU proposal or any threat to sanction any of the Taliban leaders.
Further, the EU ministers will exchange views on the situation in Iran and on the new sanctions package on Tehran which are expected to be announced on 24 February, the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Wednesday announced sanctions on seven Iranian entities for selling sensitive items for dual use to Russia. It will be part of the 10th round of sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine.
Moreover, the EU ministers on Monday will discuss the Ukraine war with the physical presence of Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, and hold an informal discussion over lunch with foreign Minister of Molodova Nicu Popescu. (end)
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