Taliban delegation to hold humanitarian talks in Norway

OSLO: Representatives of Afghanistan’s Taliban will arrive in Norway on Sunday for three days of talks with Western countries on alleviating a humanitarian crisis.

“These meetings do not represent a legitimisation or recognition of the Taliban. But we must talk to the de facto authorities in the country,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said in a statement. “We cannot allow the political situation to lead to an even worse humanitarian disaster,” she said.

Millions of Afghans have been plunged deeper into poverty since last year’s Taliban takeover, which resulted in disruption to aid programmes and deteriorating food security. The Taliban representatives will meet Norwegian authorities as well as diplomats from several other countries from 23-25th January. 

“Meetings will also take place between the Taliban delegation and other Afghans with backgrounds from a range of fields. These include women leaders, journalists, and individuals working to safeguard human rights and address humanitarian, economic, social and political issues,” Norway said.

On Friday, The European Union said it was re-establishing a physical presence in Afghanistan for humanitarian purposes, but stressed it was not formally recognising the Taliban-led administration. It was the first such announcement by a W.estern power since the 27-nation EU and many governments withdrew staff and diplomats from Afghanistan as Kabul fell to the Taliban last August.

“The EU has started to re-establish a minimal presence of international EU Delegation staff to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and monitor the humanitarian situation,” said European Commission foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano.

A Taliban foreign ministry spokesman had earlier said in a Tweet that its officials had reached an understanding with the EU, which had “officially opened its embassy with a permanent presence in Kabul & practically commenced operations”.

The EU spokesperson stopped short of saying the mission had been formally re-opened. “Our minimal presence in Kabul must not in any way be seen as recognition. This has also been clearly communicated to the de facto authorities,” he said.

Governments globally have been grappling with how to avoid formally recognising the Taliban, which swept to power on August 15 as foreign forces withdrew, while working to stem a growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Many countries have ramped up humanitarian aid – aimed at urgent needs and largely bypassing government channels – as most development aid to the country has been cut off and strict restrictions placed on the banking sector due to sanctions against members of the militant group.

The EU has announced it was launching projects worth 268.3 million euros, mostly to be channelled through United Nations agencies focused on health, education and displaced people.