We need a stronger EU coordination on evacuating and protecting people in Afghanistan

Press release

Following a Greens/EFA initiative, MEPs met today with High Representative Josep Borrell to discuss the appalling situation in Afghanistan.

Tineke Strik, the Greens/EFA spokesperson for Afghanistan in the Foreign Affairs Committee, comments:

“We call on the European Commission and Council to urgently take all necessary steps to ensure safe passage and protection for people in a vulnerable situation fleeing Afghanistan.

We call in particular for the coordination of a common EU evacuation mission for EU nationals and those who have cooperated with EU and NATO missions as soon as possible.  We need to ensure safe passage for vulnerable persons fleeing Afghanistan through resettlement pledges, humanitarian visas and the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive.

We also urge the European Commission and Council to ensure humanitarian assistance and access for NGOs and IGOs in the country and to increase humanitarian assistance to neighbouring countries to which Afghans are fleeing.

An EU policy of support for the Afghan people urgently needs to integrate foreign and home affairs as well as humanitarian issues in one approach.”

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