Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, announced today that the Union "will deal with conditions with the Taliban movement while it is in power in Afghanistan", without officially recognizing its government.

Borrel’s statement comes at a time where the EU is struggling to take an official stance towards the latest developments in Afghanistan after the Taliban seized the capital Kabul, and US forces completed their withdrawal.

The EU’s representative stated that dealing with the Taliban-led government is inevitable, in a form of “practical commitment” that will develop according to the government’s position, yet this still does not mean officially recognizing it.

Borell further noted that the EU wishes to cooperate with the Taliban as long as it prevents Afghanistan from becoming a base for exporting terrorism all while establishing an inclusive government that would aid in evacuating those in danger. The government is also required to be respectful of international law and human rights.

Previous indications of cooperation with the Taliban have been implied by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, whilst insisting on the absence of “political dialogue.”