KABUL, Afghanistan — Tomas Niklasson, the European Union’s special envoy for Afghanistan, met with Sadr Azam Usmani, the Taliban’s deputy minister of agriculture, during a visit to Kabul, according to the Taliban-run Bakhtar News Agency.
During the meeting, Mr. Usmani emphasized the importance of ensuring that international aid to Afghanistan is used “transparently” to maximize benefits for the Afghan people, particularly farmers, Bakhtar reported.
The EU delegation in Kabul has not commented on the meeting.
Concerns over Taliban’s policies
Mr. Niklasson’s visit comes amid heightened global criticism of the Taliban’s escalating restrictions on women and girls. Recently, the Taliban barred women and girls from attending medical institutes, adding to a growing list of prohibitions that include banning girls from secondary education and closing universities to female students.
The European Union condemned the ban, calling it a “horrendous violation of fundamental human rights” and an “unjustifiable assault” on women’s access to education. The EU has also imposed sanctions on several Taliban officials, including the ministers responsible for education and the promotion of virtue.
Despite its criticism of the Taliban’s policies, the European Union has maintained a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan and continues to provide significant humanitarian aid.
Last week, the World Food Program announced a €15 million ($15.8 million) contribution from the EU to support its operations in Afghanistan. The funds aim to bolster community resilience against the effects of climate change and other crises.
While the EU remains committed to addressing Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs, it has consistently called on the Taliban to reverse their restrictive policies, particularly those targeting women and girls, which have further isolated Afghanistan on the global stage.
