KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The European Union’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Gilles Bertrand, said Friday that a multilateral process and intra-Afghan dialogue are the only ways to address the international community’s concerns and achieve lasting peace in the country.
Speaking at a press conference in Kabul at the end of his first visit since his appointment, Bertrand said Afghanistan must uphold its international commitments and take further steps toward inclusivity.
During his six-day visit, Bertrand met with Taliban authorities, UN officials, foreign diplomats, and civil society representatives to discuss pressing challenges facing Afghanistan.
“We discussed the need to move forward with all aspects of the UN comprehensive approach, including identifying possible mutual first steps agreeable to all,” he said, referring to the Doha Process outlined in the 2024 UN report by Special Coordinator Feridun Sinirlioğlu.
“The EU sees a multilateral process as the only way to resolve the international community’s unanimous concerns and an intra-Afghan dialogue as essential for long-term peace,” Bertrand said.
Bertrand said that in his meetings with Taliban officials, he raised strong concerns about human rights issues, particularly the restrictions on women and girls that limit their social, economic, cultural, civil, and political freedoms. He also criticized last month’s 48-hour nationwide communications blackout, noting its negative impact on Afghanistan’s economy and international reputation.
The EU envoy highlighted challenges in aid delivery, saying the EU has invested €1.8 billion ($2.1 billion) since 2021 in humanitarian, health, education, and private sector development. A new €83 million EU aid package, he said, faces obstacles due to Taliban-imposed restrictions that increase costs and reduce the reach of aid.
Bertrand noted that more than 4 million Afghans have returned from neighboring countries over the past two years, placing pressure on housing, services, and livelihoods. He said the EU plans to expand its 2025 support in partnership with IOM, UNHCR, and NGOs, focusing on reintegration, job creation, private sector development, and access to essential services.
Describing the EU’s approach to Afghanistan as “principled, pragmatic, and people-centered,” Bertrand pledged to return regularly and deepen engagement with all Afghans committed to a peaceful, inclusive, and self-reliant future.
