- Title: EU calls on Taliban to allow free passage to Kabul airport
- Date: 24th August 2021
- Summary: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (RECENT - JULY 2021) (REUTERS) EUROPEAN FLAGS FLYING OUTSIDE EU COUNCIL BUILDING WHERE NEWS CONFERENCE WAS HELD (MUTE) EXTERIOR OF EU COUNCIL BUILDING 'EUROPA'
- Embargoed: 7th September 2021 18:04
- Keywords: Afghan Afghanistan Brussels EU European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen European Council President Charles Michel European Union G7 Kabul Taliban United States airport democracy evacuation summit
- Location: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
- City: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
- Country: Belgium
- Topics: European Union,Europe,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA002ERN4FUV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO AS INCOMING
The European Union on Tuesday (August 24) called on the Taliban to allow free passage for those trying to get to reach Kabul Airport and on the U.S. to secure the airport 'as long as necessary' to allow the departure of all those entitled to evacuation.
Speaking at a news conference after partaking in a G7 summit on Afghanistan, European Council President Charles Michel said Washington and its partners should allow a 'fair and equitable access to the airport, for all nationals entitled to evacuation.'
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told journalists most European Union staff based in Afghanistan, including Afghans, had been evacuated from Kabul airport.
She said the G7 leaders agreed it was their "moral duty" to help the Afghan people following the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan.
"The situation is indeed a tragedy for the Afghan people and it is a major setback for international community," she said.
Michel said that the European Union would continue to advocate democracy and human rights in the world beyond the end of the Western military mission in Afghanistan.
"Ending the military operation in Afghanistan is not the end of our commitment to promoting rule of law, democracy, and human rights in the world. On the contrary, we must be more determined than ever," the former Belgian prime minister said.
(Production: Bart Biesemans, Clement Rossignol) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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