Taliban-EU Talks in Doha, Qatar...Appeal for Lifting of Asset Freeze

by Lee Hyunwoo

Published 29 Nov.2021 14:38(KST)

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Taliban, the ruling power in Afghanistan, has resumed talks with the European Union (EU) side and once again appealed for the easing of economic sanctions and the unfreezing of funds imposed by the United States and the West. As the COVID-19 situation worsens and the economic crisis deepens, the humanitarian crisis within Afghanistan is becoming severe, and discussions on sanctions issues are expected to expand within the US and the EU.

According to AFP on the 29th, the Taliban delegation held a two-day meeting with the EU delegation in Doha, Qatar, until the previous day. The Taliban delegation was led by Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, and the EU side was represented by Thomas Niklasson, the EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan. It is known that this was the first official meeting between the two sides in Doha in about a month since early last month.

Mohammad Naeem, spokesperson for the Taliban's Doha political office, stated that the two sides discussed Afghanistan's political situation following the Taliban's return to power as well as the struggling economy. The EU External Action Service (EEAS) also announced the previous day that both sides expressed serious concern about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. According to the EEAS, the Taliban specifically requested EU support regarding the operation and maintenance of the airport.

Since retaking Afghanistan in August, the Taliban, with help from Qatar and others, resumed operations at Kabul International Airport but are reportedly facing difficulties due to a lack of personnel and technical expertise. The Taliban also promised to uphold amnesty orders for those who cooperated with the West and said they would not block Afghans and foreigners wishing to leave, according to the EEAS.

It is also reported that the two sides discussed issues related to Western economic sanctions on the Taliban. The Taliban side has persistently demanded the unfreezing of funds and lifting of economic sanctions, emphasizing Afghanistan's worsening economic hardship and humanitarian crisis. However, the EEAS drew a line, stating that this meeting does not imply recognition of the Taliban government.

Meanwhile, the Taliban are scheduled to hold talks with the United States starting today, where they are expected to again demand the lifting of the freeze on overseas assets. In addition, humanitarian aid, eradication of terrorist groups such as the Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) in Afghanistan, and the reopening of diplomatic missions of various countries within Afghanistan are expected to be discussed as bilateral issues.

Previously, the overseas assets held by the Afghan government just before its collapse were reported to exceed $9 billion (approximately 10.7 trillion KRW), with more than $7 billion deposited in US banks. The US government has frozen these assets since August. Along with this, foreign aid, which accounted for about 75% of the Afghan government's public sector expenses, was cut off, leaving Afghanistan currently suffering from a severe economic crisis.