BRUSSELS — The EU plans to bolster financial aid to
Afghanistan's neighbors and head off "uncontrolled large-scale illegal
migration" after the Taliban's takeover, according to a draft statement
seen Monday by AFP.
اضافة اعلان
Interior ministers from the 27-nation group meet in Brussels
on Tuesday for emergency talks as they seek to avoid a repeat of the 2015
migrant crisis that saw over one million people enter the bloc.
"Based on lessons learned, the EU and its member states
stand determined to act jointly to prevent the recurrence of uncontrolled
large-scale illegal movements faced in the past, by preparing a
coordinated and orderly response," said the draft prepared for the
meeting.
As part of the efforts, it said, the EU "will engage
and strengthen its support to third countries, in particular the neighboring
and transit countries, hosting large numbers of migrants and refugees, to
reinforce their capacities to provide protection, dignified and safe reception
conditions and sustainable livelihood for refugees and host communities."
The statement — which could still change — also focused on
security worries coming from Afghanistan and said member states "will do
their utmost to ensure that the situation in Afghanistan does not lead to new
security threats for EU citizens", including intelligence sharing and
security checks on evacuees.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told Italy's Corriere
Della Sera newspaper the bloc had "to increase cooperation with the
neighboring countries to resolve issues related to Afghanistan. We must help
them with the first refugee wave."
"Afghans fleeing the country are not going to reach
Rome in the first place, but maybe Tashkent (in Uzbekistan). We need to help
those countries that will be on the front line."
Asked if they would receive European financial assistance to
host Afghan refugees, he said: "The absorption capacity of Europe has its
limits and nothing can be done without strong cooperation.
"Neighboring countries will be affected more and
earlier than Europe. So, yes: that also means giving those countries financial
support as we have done with Turkey."
The return of the hardline Islamist group to power in Kabul
on August 15 has plunged the future of many Afghans into uncertainty and
sparked concern that millions may seek refuge in neighboring countries and
Europe.
In 2016, Turkey inked a deal with the EU to stem the flow of
migrants — mainly from Syria — to Europe by hosting millions of arrivals in
return for some incentives including financial assistance.
EU Battlegroups
Borrell said the crisis in Afghanistan, sparked by the
withdrawal of US troops, had highlighted the need for the EU to have its own
military capacity.
"The EU must be able to intervene to protect our
interests when the Americans don't want to be involved," Borrell said.
"Our first entry force should be made of 5,000 soldiers
that we are able to mobilize at short notice. We have EU Battlegroups but these
have never been mobilised. We need to be able to act quickly."
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