EU-Tajikistan Meeting Focuses on Afghanistan’s Ongoing Crisis
The 11th Cooperation Council meeting between the European Union and Tajikistan was held yesterday in Brussels, with a significant focus on the situation in Afghanistan.
According to an official EU statement, the meeting was chaired by the foreign ministers of Tajikistan and Cyprus. Discussions covered various issues including human rights, rule of law, economic and security cooperation, energy, and the state of affairs in Afghanistan.
The statement noted that both sides also exchanged views on regional and global security, specifically addressing the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan and Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine.
Political analysts believe that Tajikistan, as a country bordering Afghanistan, can play the role of mediator and facilitator in rebuilding the EU’s relationship with Afghanistan.
Yousef Amin Zazi, a political affairs expert, emphasized Afghanistan’s geographical position as a bridge between Central and South Asia, which also encompasses the interests of regional countries and particularly the European Union. He added that the EU is endeavoring to expand its relations with Central Asia and strengthen its trade exchanges.
Another political commentator, Moeen-Gul Samakni, described Tajikistan as a potential gateway for Afghanistan’s re-engagement with the international community, stating that relations between the two countries could enhance interaction with Europe and other nations.
Meanwhile, Aziz Maaraj, a former diplomat, stressed that the EU-Tajikistan meeting’s focus on Afghanistan could benefit the Afghan people by drawing more global attention to their challenges.
This comes as more than four years have passed since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, yet no EU member state has recognized the Taliban administration politically, nor have they handed over any Afghan embassies or consulates to them. The only exception is in Germany, where two Taliban-appointed representatives are present in the Afghan consulate, reportedly to facilitate the deportation of illegal immigrants and convicted criminals.
