DOHA (HRNW) – The Taliban held their first face-to-face talks with a joint US-EU delegation Tuesday in Qatar as Brussels pledged one billion euros ($1.2 billion) in aid for Afghanistan.
The hardline Islamists are seeking recognition, as well as assistance to avoid a humanitarian disaster, after they returned to power in August following the withdrawal of US troops.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the EU aid package, meant “to avert a major humanitarian and socio-economic collapse”, at a virtual G20 summit hosted by Italy.
She stressed the funds are “direct support” for Afghans and would be channelled to international organisations working on the ground, not to the Taliban s interim government which Brussels does not recognise.
“We have been clear about our conditions for any engagement with the Afghan authorities, including on the respect of human rights,” she said.
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