The G-7 reached an agreement Tuesday about how to engage with the Taliban and reaffirmed humanitarian commitments to Afghans following the armed movement’s takeover of the country.
In an emergency online meeting chaired by the United Kingdom, the G-7 also asked the Taliban to guarantee the safe passage of all Afghans seeking to leave beyond the United States-mandated deadline of Aug. 31.
“We affirm our enduring commitment to the people of Afghanistan, including through a renewed humanitarian effort by the international community. To this end we support the United Nation in coordinating the immediate international humanitarian response in the region, including unfettered humanitarian access in Afghanistan, and will contribute collectively to that response,” the G-7 said in a statement.
“As we do this, we will judge the Afghan parties by their actions, not words. In particular, we reaffirm that the Taliban will be held accountable for their actions on preventing terrorism, on human rights in particular those of women, girls and minorities and on pursuing an inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan. The legitimacy of any future government depends on the approach it now takes to uphold its international obligations and commitments to ensure a stable Afghanistan,” it said.
The immediate priority, it said, is to ensure the safe evacuation of all foreign nationals in Afghanistan as well as Afghans who supported NATO coalition forces during the 20-year conflict.
The group made it clear that it will continue to coordinate with the Taliban to ensure evacuations continue without incident.
Read the full story on Daily Sabah
