Turkey has very important role in managing Afghan migrant wave, top EU diplomat says

Turkey will “play a very important role” in dealing with the wave of Afghans fleeing their country, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said today.

Speaking to Spain’s state broadcaster RTVE, Borrell said the EU will have to work closely with countries on the route between Afghanistan and Europe to “avoid a humanitarian crisis,” noting that Turkey will be particularly important.

He lamented that the bloc does not have a common policy for accepting refugees in a situation such as the one being witnessed in Afghanistan.

Although there are conflicting positions from European leaders, he said the EU is trying to establish a clear solution.

“But frankly, this is tomorrow’s worry. Right now, we’re worried about ensuring the Kabul airport is functional and that the people we need to pick up are ready to go when our planes arrive,” he said.

READ: UK to resettle 20,000 Afghan refugees over 5 years

“What happened in Afghanistan is a defeat of the Western world. We must have the courage to recognise it and analyse its causes and consequences,” he said.

He called it “the most serious geopolitical event since Russia annexed Crimea,” adding that it will affect the balance of power in the world.

“This current situation is forcing us to rethink how we should act and defend the values we profess to hold,” Borrell said.

Despite the Taliban’s vision of women being the “antithesis” of the EU’s beliefs, he said the bloc will need to start a dialogue with the Taliban to safely get more people to Kabul airport.

“It’s not enough to say we’re worried. We have to find solutions with what we have. At the moment, our resources are limited and concentrated on the fundamental task of repatriating local staff, European citizens or the highly vulnerable,” he insisted.

While some EU military flights have started operating again, Borrell added that safely transporting more people to the Afghan capital’s airport “isn’t so easy.”

The Taliban took control of the Afghan capital Kabul and the presidential palace on Sunday after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. Many fear that their return to power after 20 years of the US-led occupation could see the end to women’s rights and a return to an oppressive society.