EU development ministers to discuss Afghanistan

NordenBladet — EU ministers of development will hold an informal video conference to exchange views on Afghanistan on Monday evening, 11 October. Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will represent Finland at the meeting.The meeting will focus on the EU’s joint measures to support Afghans now that the humanitarian situation in the country has deteriorated and basic services are on the verge of collapse. It is feared that the situation in Afghanistan will worsen even more as winter is approaching. In this situation, it is particularly important to safeguard human rights, especially the rights of women and girls. Finland emphasises close coordination of the humanitarian assistance provided by EU Member States and considers it important that they exchange views on the future and common criteria of development cooperation. EU actions should be based on non-recognition of the Taliban regime. It is also important to support Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries. “A humanitarian catastrophe must be averted. In this context, the EU plays a key role in promoting extensive international as well as political and economic cooperation. We must not let Afghanistan become a country of origin for irregular migration and drug trafficking or a breeding ground for terrorism,” says Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi