SPD spokesman calls for diplomatic relations with Taliban
Since taking power in 2021, no country has officially recognized the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan. Before the UN Afghanistan conference on Sunday, the SPD foreign policy spokesperson calls for the reopening of the German embassy in Kabul. This should not be interpreted as an elevation of the Taliban, he argues.
At the start of the Afghanistan UN conference this Sunday, SPD foreign policy spokesperson Nils Schmid urges Germany to reconsider its Afghanistan policy. "We must ask ourselves how we want to deal with this country in the future. It is not to be expected that the Taliban will relinquish power in the foreseeable future," Schmid writes in an exclusive guest article for the "Tagesspiegel".
Given the problematic policy of the Taliban regime, it is "not in our interest to elevate or strengthen the Taliban regime." By refusing diplomatic recognition and development aid for justifiable reasons, "we inadvertently contribute to worsening the misery in the country," Schmid emphasizes.
Unlike in 2001 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Afghanistan is no longer a safe haven for internationally operating terrorists. The Taliban are no longer a monolithic entity. Besides ideologically hardline elements, there are now forces that have recognized that the problems of the country can only be solved in dialogue and cooperation with the international community.
Schmid mentions water management in Central Asia and the protection of Afghan cultural heritage as potential areas for German-Afghan cooperation. Furthermore, the federal government should consider sending diplomats back to Afghanistan.
"Only then can we make our own, precise image of the situation in the country. It is the basis for meaningful and targeted German engagement on site," Schmid stresses. A prolonged boycott helps no one and will not end Taliban rule.
Taliban send delegation to UN meeting
The Taliban government plans to participate in the UN meeting in Qatar with a delegation regarding the situation in Afghanistan. The goal of the talks on June 30 and July 1 in Doha is to weaken international engagement for the crisis-ridden country. Taliban spokesperson Sabihullah Mujahid told the TOLO News TV channel in mid-June that a presence at the talks would be beneficial for Afghanistan in terms of humanitarian aid and investments. In February, the Islamists had rejected participating in a similar UN meeting in Doha.
Since their return to power in August 2021, the Taliban have rejected demands for the formation of an inclusive government and respect for women's and human rights. No country has officially recognized the Taliban's rule worldwide. Western embassies have left the country. However, ambassadors of the Taliban have resumed their work in some countries such as China, Russia, Pakistan, and Iran.
The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is very precarious. The European Union announced humanitarian support of €150 million for organizations active in Afghanistan or caring for Afghan refugees in neighboring countries in June. The EU aid for Afghanistan includes, among other things, preventing famine, the EU stated.
- Following the UN Afghanistan conference on Sunday, the SPD foreign policy spokesperson Nils Schmid advocates for Germany to reconsider its policy towards the Taliban in Afghanistan, highlighting that it is not feasible to expect the Taliban to relinquish power in the near future.
- In a bid to increase international engagement for Afghanistan, the Taliban government plans to send a delegation to the UN meeting in Qatar, aiming to discuss the crisis-ridden country's situation with participating nations.
- The German SPD foreign policy spokesperson argues against elevating or strengthening the Taliban regime, stating that refusing recognition and aid inadvertently contributes to worsening the suffering in Afghanistan.
- The Taliban, who have been in power since their return in August 2021, have rejected calls for an inclusive government and respect for women's and human rights, with no major nation officially recognizing their rule internationally.
