Afghanistan, Justice and Home Affairs Council Declaration

I Ministers of Internal Affairs met to discuss developments in Afghanistan, in particular with regard to potential implications in the areas of international protection, migration and security. The Council adopted a declaration on the matter.

The Ministers emphasized that the evacuation of EU citizens and, as far as possible, Afghan nationals who cooperated withEuropean Union Its Member States as well as their families are a priority and will continue to be.

As an immediate priority, the EU will continue to coordinate with international partners, in particular countriesHIM-HER-IT and its agencies, to stabilize the region and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches vulnerable populations. In addition, the EU will deal with third countries, in particular neighboring countries and transit countries, which host large numbers of migrants and refugees and will strengthen its support for them.

The EU will also work with these countries to prevent illegal immigration from the region. The EU and its member states are also determined to act jointly to prevent a recurrence of the large-scale and uncontrolled illegal migration movements of the past by developing an organized and coordinated response. Supported by FrontexThey remain determined to effectively protect the EU’s external borders and prevent unauthorized entry, as well as help the worst-affected member states.

The EU and its member states will do everything possible to ensure that the situation in Afghanistan does not lead to new security threats to EU citizens. Every effort must be made to ensure that the Taliban regime ends all links and practices with international terrorism and that Afghanistan never again becomes a haven for terrorists and organized crime groups.

The European Union remains committed to supporting vulnerable Afghans, especially women and children, both in Afghanistan and the region. At the same time, we are determined to prevent smugglers and human traffickers from exploiting this tragic situation by coordinating our response to illegal migration movements and protecting the external borders of the European Union,” said Alec Höjs, Minister of Interior of Slovenia, who holds the rotating presidency of the European Union.

Source: Council of the European Union

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Council of Justice and Home Affairs – Statement on the situation in Afghanistan – August 31, 2021

Council of Justice and Home Affairs – Statement on the situation in Afghanistan – August 31, 2021

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