EU Envoy: Intra-Afghan Dialogue Key to Lasting Peace
Gilles Bertrand, the European Union’s special envoy for Afghanistan, has said that establishing an intra-Afghan dialogue process could pave the way for lasting peace in the country.
During his first official visit to Kabul, Bertrand emphasized that the EU views a multilateral and coordinated approach as the only viable solution to global concerns surrounding Afghanistan. He urged the Taliban administration to uphold its international commitments.
Speaking at a press conference in Kabul, Bertrand noted that during his six-day visit, he met with several Taliban officials, UNAMA representatives, diplomats, and officials from UN-affiliated organizations.
The EU envoy stressed that the United Nations’ approach to Afghanistan should be comprehensive. He cited the 2024 report by Feridun Sinirlioğlu, the UN’s special coordinator, which identifies initial steps toward reaching a mutual agreement among all conflicting parties.
Bertrand reiterated the EU’s support for a multilateral process involving international stakeholders, aiming to engage all Afghan parties in constructive dialogue that could lead to an inclusive government and respect for global obligations.
He also voiced the EU’s deep concerns about the presence and activities of transnational terrorist groups operating within Afghanistan, which he described as a threat to regional security. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that Europe has taken note of the decline in opium cultivation and the Taliban administration’s efforts to counter Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K).
According to Bertrand, he met with several senior Taliban officials, including Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deen Mohammad Hanif, Abdul Kabir, Shir Ahmad Haqqani, and Mohammad Naeem Wardak.
His visit coincided with rising tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan. Bertrand said he encouraged Taliban officials and the Pakistani ambassador to exercise restraint, respect each other’s territorial integrity, and resume security dialogues.
Bertrand previously served in Kabul as an EU diplomat during the early years of Hamid Karzai’s presidency and now returns to face a transformed Afghanistan with new challenges.
