”EU has not recognised Taliban”- Von der Leyen

The EU Commission President, Ursula Von der Leyen, says the body has not recognised the Taliban after their takeover of Afghanistan.

She also said the commission was not holding any talks with the militant group.

Speaking at a news conference on Saturday after visiting a reception centre in Madrid for Afghan employees of EU bodies evacuated from Kabul, Ms von der Leyen said ”the commission would give funding to EU countries which take in Afghan refugees.”

The issue is a divisive one in Europe. More than one million migrants came to the bloc in 2015, mostly from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria while southern EU countries have long complained about taking in large numbers of migrants who have crossed the Mediterranean without sufficient help from other members.

Ms von der Leyen also said ”she would ask for a raise in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan this year. But this would be tied to respect for the rights of women and ethnic minorities.”

“We may well hear the Taliban’s words but we will measure them above all by their deeds and actions,” she added.

BBC/Mercy Chukwudiebere