EU Will Be Forced to Cooperate with the Taliban Even If It Does Not Recognize Them

The EU will be compelled to cooperate with the Taliban in order to support the Afghan people, even if it does not recognize them as the legitimate government of the country, stated the head of the EU's foreign policy Josep Borrell, according to Reuters.

"I didn't say that we are going to recognize the Taliban," Borrell said during a press conference following a meeting of EU foreign ministers. "I simply said that we need to talk to them about everything in order to try to protect women and girls. For that, we need to establish contact with them."

"We will set conditions for ongoing support and we are prepared to use our leverage to ensure the protection of human rights. I know that when I speak, it seems like I am presenting wishful thinking as reality. But we will use all our leverage," he added.