EU: Prolonged crisis in Kabul discourages European partners

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: The delegation and heads of missions of the European Union based in Kabul, as well as the Ambassador of Norway, on Thursday in a statement called on “all parties to the current political negotiations to reach an agreement with the highest sense of urgency.”

The statement said there is a need to start the peace process as soon as possible, and “the wellbeing of the Afghan people and the broader interest of the nation must come first” as fighting continues and the COVID-19 outbreak spreads.

“Each day that passes without a consolidated governmental team exposes the Afghan population to greater dangers, undermines the credibility of the democratic institutions and discourages European partners,” read the statement.

The statement ended with the “the time for unity is now.”

Currently, President Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah are locked in a dispute over who holds a legitimate claim to the leadership of the country. Abdullah does not recognize the Independent Election Commission’s announcement of the election results as valid. Both men held parallel inauguration ceremonies following the announcement, and Abdullah has threatened to continue the formation of his “inclusive government” as mediators on both sides attempt to form a solution to the impasse.

Meanwhile, the European Union also give 117 million euros (128 million US$) to fight the coronavirus in Afghanistan.

In a statement earlier this week, the EU noted that Afghanistan’s public health system has been weakened by years of conflict, that it has to cope with limited resources, and that it is not accessible throughout the country. Given the severity and urgency posed by the pandemic, the EU responded by allocating117 million euros, to be directed at “tackling the pandemic and addressing its health and socio-economic impacts.” The statement said this includes 50 million euros in additional funding to strengthen Afghanistan’s health system.

“This will help make human and material resources, such as testing and treatment equipment, available for a specific response to the COVID-19 crisis while allowing for the continuation of ongoing key basic services such as maternal and childcare,” the statement said.

“Today EU gives to its engagement in Afghanistan a new, concrete and robust dimension by supporting all efforts aimed at mitigating the effects of the Coronavirus. Fighting the disease should be the only fight in Afghanistan. Our assistance comes with the strong plea to political leaders to urgently reach an agreement and to all parties to the armed conflict to observe an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.” Said EU Ambassador to Afghanistan Pierre Mayaudon. (TOLOnews)