Afghanistan quickly slips into chaos, with a humanitarian crisis of ever more dramatic proportions, and chancelleries around the world are working to seek a peaceful transition that ensures human rights for the population. The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, has launched an appeal for dialogue. This was echoed by the spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry asking the Taliban to work to build lasting peace. According to Beijing diplomacy, the Taliban today are “more sober and rational” than the last time they came to power in Afghanistan and China hopes they will follow up on “their positive attitude”.
For the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, “what happened in Afghanistan is” a catastrophe, a nightmare, let’s face it “, but now” we must support the Afghan people, not only those who want to leave the country, but also those who want to stay “. The United States maintains a wait-and-see position, President Biden himself stated in an interview that there was no way to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan without chaos following”. While for the Chief of Staff Mark Milley there has been no hostile action so far by the Taliban.
Meanwhile, the G7 foreign ministers meet for an emergency meeting pending the extraordinary summit of heads of state and government to be held for the next few days and that of NATO, while Prime Minister Mario Draghi telephones Putin and hears Macron: focus on the action of the international community in various contexts in favor of the stability of Afghanistan and to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.
In the extraordinary G7 communiqué, foreign ministers explained that “the crisis in Afghanistan requires an international response that includes an intense commitment to the critical issues faced by Afghanistan and the region: with the most affected Afghans, the parties in conflict, the UN Security Council, the G20, international donors and with Afghanistan’s regional neighbors “.
“G7 ministers will each engage with their partners in the days and weeks to come to ensure an inclusive political settlement, enable vital humanitarian assistance and support in Afghanistan and the region, and avert any further loss of life in Afghanistan and the international community because of terrorism “, the note continues,” the G7 ministers ask the international community to join with a shared mission to prevent an escalation of the crisis in Afghanistan “.
“The G7 ministers spoke of the gravity of the situation and the significant loss of life and internal displacement in Afghanistan in recent days”, the statement continues. “The ministers of the G7”, moreover, “support the declaration of 16 August by the UN Security Council and affirm their commitment, in particular the urgent need for an end to violence, respect for human rights including women, children and minorities, inclusive negotiations on the future of Afghanistan and the need for all parties to respect international humanitarian law, in particular as regards medical and humanitarian personnel, interpreters and other international service providers ”.
“The G7 ministers stressed the importance of the Taliban keeping their promises to ensure the protection of civilians and are deeply concerned by the reports of violent reprisals in part of Afghanistan”, the statement continues, “the G7 continues to strive to do everything possible to evacuate vulnerable people from Kabul airport and ask all parties to continue to facilitate it. ” “The G7 ministers asked the Taliban to ensure safe transit for foreign citizens and Afghans who want to leave”, the text continues, “the G7 also discussed the importance of close and effective cooperation between us to allow for evacuations. from Kabul. G7 ministers discussed the importance of the international community guaranteeing safe and legal resettlement routes “.