EU’s dire warning to Taliban–if you opt for an “Islamic Emirate” then be prepared for punishing sanctions

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The European Union, which has provided about Euro 57 million to Afghanistan this year so far, is closely watching the situation in the country.</p>
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Recently it said that a violent seizure of power in Afghanistan could lead to scrapping off the financial assistance.</p>
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Meanwhile Josep Borrell, EU’s High Representative who met Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Tashkent last month said in his blog that EU’s financial support to Afghanistan would depend on the preservation of the democratic process in the country. “Future support to Afghanistan … will remain conditional on the preservation of the democratic progress," he said.</p>
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“Senseless violence is inflicting immense suffering upon Afghan citizens. The Taliban’s military offensive contradicts their stated commitment to a negotiated conflict settlement and the Doha peace process,” Borrell in separate a tweet, said.   </p>
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<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/taliban-makes-a-grab-for-afghanistan-s-vast-resources-amid-military-push-106184.html">Taliban makes a grab for Afghanistan's vast resources amid military push</a></strong></p>
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The EU been funding humanitarian operations in Afghanistan since 1994. According to an <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/echo/where/asia-and-pacific/afghanistan_en">EU publication</a> the agency has provided over Euro 1 billion in all these years. Funds are allocated strictly based on the humanitarian principles of independence, impartiality and neutrality to ensure access to those in need.</p>
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"Mora reasserted that the reestablishment of an 'Islamic Emirate' or the military seizure of power will lead to the non-recognition and isolation of Afghanistan by the international community, while donors will stop providing financial support, which is wired through the government," news agency ANI quoted an EU spokesperson as saying.</p>
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The United Nations (UN) has estimated a count of 1783 casualties in Afghanistan in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 23 per cent compared to the same period last year.</p>
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<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/warlord-rashid-dostum-king-of-mazar-e-sharif-pledges-to-kill-taliban-in-afghanistan-106174.html">Warlord Rashid Dostum, “King” of Mazar-e-Sharif pledges to kill Taliban in Afghanistan</a></strong></p>
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“Since the beginning of 2021, close to 150,000 people fled their homes, raising the number of displaced people to at least 4.2 million. Attacks against medical and educational facilities remain high,” the <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/echo/where/asia-and-pacific/afghanistan_en">EU publication</a> said.</p>
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The political turmoil which is taking place amid the Covid-19 pandemic is a cause for concern. The Coronavirus-led import restrictions and widespread unemployment have worsened food insecurity, with close to 12.5 million people (35% of the population) critically food insecure, the EU said.</p>