KABUL, Afghanistan — Tomas Niklasson, the European Union’s special envoy for Afghanistan, met with Taliban deputy chief minister Abdul Kabir in Kabul on Tuesday, pledging €45 million ($48 million) to support alternative crop cultivation as part of efforts to combat opium production in the country, according to a Tailban statement.
The meeting focused on counter-narcotics efforts, the promotion of alternative livelihoods for farmers, and the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries, the statement said.
According to the statement, Veronika Boskovic Pohar, the EU chargé d’affaires in Kabul, also attended the meeting.
Mr. Niklasson reportedly praised “progress in Afghanistan” and emphasized strengthening ties between the European Union and the Taliban administration.
The statement noted that the EU aims to channel the €45 million through international partner organizations to support Afghan farmers transitioning to alternative crops.
The EU envoy stressed the importance of international cooperation to curb drug production and rehabilitate drug users, according to the Taliban’s statement.
“Alongside the Taliban’s efforts to combat narcotics, it is essential that international institutions contribute to promoting alternative crops and treating drug addicts,” Mr. Niklasson was quoted as saying.
He also highlighted the need for EU humanitarian workers to have access to all regions of Afghanistan to deliver aid. Additionally, Mr. Niklasson said the EU is engaging with Afghanistan’s neighbors to halt the forced deportation of Afghan refugees.
Mr. Kabir described the EU’s support for alternative livelihoods as critical to Afghanistan’s efforts to tackle drug production, the statement said.
He said the Taliban has established a high-level commission to fight narcotics and alcohol and remains committed to its pledges.
This comes amid reports from the UN indicating a 30 percent increase in opium production in Afghanistan this year.
Mr. Kabir also urged international organizations, including the EU, to work collaboratively to support Afghan refugees and called on neighboring countries to halt the forced repatriation of Afghan nationals.
The EU delegation in Kabul and Mr. Niklasson have not commented on the meeting.
