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Informal video conference of development ministers, 11 October 2021
Main results
EU development ministers exchanged views on the rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, and discussed concrete ways to furthersupport the Afghan people, through a ‘Team Europe’ approach comprising the EU, its member states and their diplomatic networks and financial institutions.
The humanitarian and socio-economic situation in Afghanistan is on the verge of collapse. According to the Norwegian Refugee Council, at least 1 million children are at risk of dying this winter, unless they get the appropriate assistance. We cannot ‘wait and see’. We need to act, and act quickly.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Ministers' views converged on the need to step up EU support to the Afghan people through humanitarian plus aid in direct support of the population.
The EU's aim is to thereby save and sustain Afghan lives and livelihoods, and deliver basic services to the population.
Ministers agreed in particular to have a calibrated approach, in order to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. Such approach will not entail recognising the Taliban, and will fully respect the five benchmarks agreed by Council in relation to Afghanistan.
The humanitarian and socio-economic situation in Afghanistan is on the verge of collapse. According to the Norwegian Refugee Council, at least 1 million children are at risk of dying this winter, unless they get the appropriate assistance. We cannot ‘wait and see’. We need to act, and act quickly.