The European Union has no choice but to negotiate with the new Taliban leaders of Afghanistan.
EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell said this in the European Parliament, Reuters reports.
“The Afghan crisis is not over. To have any chance to influence events, we have no choice but to cooperate with the Taliban,” Borrell said.
He said Brussels will try to coordinate with EU governments to establish a diplomatic presence in Kabul.
EU foreign ministers have set conditions for restoring humanitarian aid and diplomatic ties with the Taliban, who took control of Afghanistan on Aug. 15, including respect for human rights, particularly women’s rights.
“It may be a pure oxymoron to talk about human rights, but it’s something we have to ask them,” Borrell said.
Earlier, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian accused the Taliban of lying and said his country would have no relations with the new government.
