German FM pushes back against restoring Taliban ties for deportations

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has made it clear that he strongly opposes the idea of resuming diplomatic ties with Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers. This statement comes amidst growing calls within the government to engage with the Taliban in order to maintain stability in the region.

In a press conference on Thursday, Wadephul firmly stated that “the Taliban is a terrorist organization and we cannot and will not have any form of diplomatic relations with them.” This statement echoes the sentiments of many other European countries, who have also expressed their concerns over engaging with the Taliban.

The Taliban recently regained control of Afghanistan, following the withdrawal of US and NATO troops after a 20-year-long war. This has sparked a debate among countries on how to deal with the Taliban, with some advocating for diplomatic engagement and others, like Germany, strongly opposing it.

Wadephul stressed that Germany’s position is in line with the European Union’s stance that any engagement with the Taliban must be conditional on them adhering to basic human rights and ensuring the safety of their citizens, particularly women and minorities.

The Foreign Minister also stated that Germany will continue to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan and support neighboring countries in dealing with the influx of refugees. However, he made it clear that this aid will not come with any political or diplomatic ties with the Taliban.

The Taliban’s track record on human rights is a cause for concern for many countries, with reports of their brutal treatment of women and minorities. Wadephul reiterated that any engagement with the Taliban must be based on their actions and not just their words.

The German government’s position on this matter has received support from various political parties and civil society groups. Many believe that any form of engagement with the Taliban would only legitimize their rule and overlook their past actions.

In fact, the German parliament recently passed a resolution condemning the Taliban’s actions and calling for international efforts to ensure the protection of human rights and democracy in Afghanistan.

Wadephul also expressed his concern about the safety of German citizens and diplomatic personnel in Afghanistan. He assured that the government is closely monitoring the situation and will take necessary measures to ensure their safety.

Germany has been actively involved in Afghanistan since the beginning of the war, with over 150,000 German soldiers deployed to the country at different times. The country has also provided significant aid in terms of development and reconstruction in the war-torn nation.

Wadephul acknowledged the sacrifices of the German soldiers and their contributions to the rebuilding of Afghanistan. He stated that the government will continue to support the Afghan people, but not at the cost of compromising its values and principles.

In conclusion, the German Foreign Minister’s statement sends a strong message to the Taliban and the international community that Germany will not engage with a regime that does not respect human rights and democratic values. The government’s stance is a reflection of its commitment to promoting peace and stability in the world, and it will continue to work towards achieving this goal in Afghanistan.