Admin l Tuesday, August 31, 2021
BRUSSELS, Belgium – The European Union (EU) has pledged to deploy resources to ensuring that the Taliban regime in Afghanistan ceases all ties and practices with international terrorism and that Afghanistan does not become once again a sanctuary for terrorists and organised crime groups.
The EU council made the pledge in a statement on Afghanistan. According to the union, the EU and its Member States will do their utmost to ensure that the situation in Afghanistan does not lead to new security threats for EU citizens.
“All efforts must be pursued to ensure that the Taliban regime ceases all ties and practices with international terrorism and that Afghanistan does not become once again a sanctuary for terrorists and organised crime groups”, the EU said, adding that it will use all its available tools to closely monitor and respond to developments on the ground that might impact its security, in particular in the area of organised crime and terrorism, including its financing.
Europol, the statement added will provide an analysis of the criminal risks linked to the situation in Afghanistan.
It noted that Action Plan on Afghanistan should be prioritised and revised in light of this statement and changed circumstances to make it more operational. “A Team Europe approach is needed to work with Afghanistan’s neighbours to address the impact of displacement in the region”, it said.
The Council urges the European Commission to assess all options for the necessary financial assistance under the Multiannual Financial Framework, in particular NDICI and asylum, migration and border management instruments.
The statement added that based on lessons learned, the EU and its Member States stand determined to act jointly to prevent the recurrence of uncontrolled large-scale illegal migration movements faced in the past, by preparing a coordinated and orderly response.
Besides, it said incentives to illegal migration should be avoided and that the EU should also strengthen the support to the countries in Afghanistan’s immediate neighbourhood to ensure that those in need receive adequate protection primarily in the region.
“The need for unified and coordinated external but also internal communication is key. Targeted information campaigns should be launched to combat the narratives used by smugglers, including in the on-line environment, which encourage people to embark on dangerous and illegal journeys towards Europe”, the statement said.
