Pakistan, EU Call For Launch Of Political Process In Afghanistan
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry and the European Union have jointly called for the start of a credible political process in Afghanistan under the UN-led Doha process.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry and the European Union have jointly called for the start of a credible political process in Afghanistan under the UN-led Doha process.
In a joint statement issued after the seventh round of the EU–Pakistan Strategic Dialogue in Brussels, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, voiced concern over Afghanistan’s worsening social and economic conditions.
They urged the initiation of a political process within the framework of the UN-led Doha process, created following the November 2023 assessment by UN Special Coordinator Feridun Sinirlioğlu. The roadmap outlines steps toward a political process involving a broad spectrum of Afghan political actors.
According to the statement, Islamabad and the EU support a peaceful, stable and self-reliant Afghanistan that contributes to regional security. They also called on the Taliban to respect human rights, particularly the rights of women and girls, and to protect vulnerable communities.
Both sides further pressed the Taliban authorities to play a constructive role in eliminating terrorism from Afghan territory.
The joint statement said EU and Pakistani officials discussed border tensions with Afghanistan and emphasised the need for regional peace, stability and prosperity, as well as resolving disputes among neighbours through dialogue.
Relations between Pakistan and the Taliban have sharply deteriorated following Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan and subsequent deadly border clashes. Islamabad accuses the Taliban of supporting and sheltering Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a claim the Afghan Taliban deny. UN Security Council reports, however, have confirmed the significant presence of TTP commanders and fighters inside Afghanistan.
