EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Tomas Niklasson, concluded his five-day visit to Kabul, accompanied by Political Advisor Erja Kaikkonen and the EU Chief of Mission to Afghanistan, Veronika Boskovic-Pohar. The delegation met with a range of Afghan officials, civil society representatives, and international organizations to assess the situation in Afghanistan and discuss the EU’s ongoing support and cooperation with the country.
During his visit, Ambassador Niklasson met with the UN Special Representative for Afghanistan, Otunbayeva, and other UN representatives, as well as officials from the World Bank and the diplomatic community. He also engaged with the acting Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, the acting Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mawlawi Sadar Azam Osmani, the acting Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Livelihoods, and Water.
The EU delegation also met Afghan civil society leaders, journalists, and representatives from international non-governmental organizations (INGOs). Niklasson expressed his gratitude to all those who shared their experiences and perspectives on Afghanistan's current challenges and future.
While many Afghans did not raise security as a primary concern, neighboring countries continue to voice serious worries about the ongoing security threats emanating from Afghanistan, particularly from terrorist groups operating within its borders. Niklasson condemned the recent suicide attack claimed by IS-KP, which killed the acting Minister of Repatriation and Refugees and wounded several others. He offered condolences to the families of the victims and wished for the swift recovery of the injured.
A key focus of the visit was Afghanistan's agricultural sector, which has been significantly affected by climate change and the prohibition on opium production, which the EU supports. Niklasson emphasized the EU's ongoing commitment to agriculture, having already allocated over €150mn in direct support, which has benefited more than 1mn people. He reiterated the need for continued support to rural communities to help them mitigate climate change impacts and adapt to new agricultural practices.
However, Niklasson raised concerns about the EU's ability to effectively implement programs due to bureaucratic restrictions and lengthy approval processes. He highlighted the need for more efficient mechanisms to ensure the timely and effective delivery of aid.
In discussions with Afghan entrepreneurs, Niklasson emphasized the importance of a thriving private sector for Afghanistan’s economic future. He reaffirmed that the EU has no sanctions on Afghanistan or its financial sector and is fully open to business, with no tariffs or quotas on Afghan exports to the EU. Access to finance, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, was identified as a critical issue.
Niklasson encouraged the de facto authorities to engage in dialogue with the private sector to facilitate access to microfinance, particularly for informal businesses and women-led enterprises. He also called for a transparent legal framework to attract foreign investment.
The EU Special Envoy raised concerns about the negative impact of the so-called PVPV law, introduced in August 2024, which has severely restricted women’s mobility, employment, and access to services. Niklasson highlighted that the law has led to increased operational costs for humanitarian organizations and worsened the operational environment for women in Afghanistan.
Another critical issue discussed was the oral directive issued on 2 December, which closed access to medical education for women and girls in over 180 institutions. The EU expressed alarm over this decision and its potential catastrophic effects on women’s and children’s health, noting that no clear explanation had been provided by the de facto authorities.
Niklasson expressed deep concern about the political, economic, and human rights situation in Afghanistan and the potential direction the country may take due to recent decrees and directives. However, he reiterated his belief in the importance of continued engagement with Afghanistan and the need for a long-term perspective on EU-Afghanistan relations.
The EU Special Envoy emphasized that while urgent action is needed on certain issues, particularly regarding women’s rights and humanitarian access, the EU remains committed to supporting the Afghan people. He stressed that the EU will continue its engagement, providing humanitarian aid, development assistance, and promoting human rights in Afghanistan.
"I leave Afghanistan still deeply troubled with respect to the current humanitarian, political, human rights and economic situation and the overall direction in which the country seems to be going, more specifically as a result of recent decrees and directives. I still believe in engagement rather than closing doors and hope that we can find ways of including more and different voices from Afghan youth and experts in meetings where we discuss the future of Afghanistan," said Niklasson.
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