European reaction to Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021

Summary:

Information Guide concerning developments in Afghanistan which led to the Taliban recapturing the country in August 2021, and in particular the response provided by European countries, the European Union (EU) and NATO.

Further information:

The President of the United States of America (USA), Joe Biden, announced in April 2021 that a full withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan would take place by 11 September, bringing an end to 20 years of intervention in the country. The withdrawal decision was carried over from the previous administration. However, media outlets reported on unease between the USA and its NATO allies over timeline, pace of withdrawal and lack of coordination. This withdrawal coincided with increasing advancements of Taliban insurgents into territories controlled by the Afghan government.

The swift recapture of Afghanistan by the Taliban was perceived to have taken many political stakeholders by surprise, in particular when it comes to the main towns and Kabul, the capital city which had been taken over by mid-August. Attention in Western world quickly shifted to the need to evacuate its nationals but also Afghan citizens working with Western stakeholders. Analysts also raised concerns regarding a fresh influx of refugees coming into Europe from the conflict zones. The evacuation came to end on 31 August 2021, following days of tension and terror in and around Kabul Airport.

Foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) held an informal videoconference on 17 August 2021 to discuss the developments in Afghanistan. They highlighted the need to ensure the safe evacuation of citizens and local staff, called for the protection of all human life and for the restoration of security and civil order with respect for fundamental rights. Justice and home affairs ministers held a meeting on 31 August to discuss the situation and potential implications in the areas of international protection, migration and security. Media reports and analyses later highlighted the potential impact of the Afghan withdrawal on discussions regarding an autonomous defence policy and military force for the European Union.

An extraordinary meeting of NATO foreign ministers was held on 20 August 2021. A virtual G7 leaders' meeting was held on 24 August 2021 to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

Commentary and Analysis

Euro|topics: Dossiers: Afghanistan https://www.eurotopics.net/en/266539/

Chatham House: The World Today, 04/06/2021: Afghanistan: America pulls out the dagger https://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/the-world-today/2021-06/afghanistan-america-pulls-out-dagger

Atlantic Council: Blog, 09/06/2021: Biden’s Europe trip can help secure Afghanistan’s future. Here’s how. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/bidens-europe-trip-can-help-secure-afghanistans-future-heres-how/

openDemocracy: Parallel Journeys, 24/06/2021: Nassim Majidi on telling the stories of Afghans on the migration trail to Europe https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/parallel-journeys/nassim-majidi-telling-stories-afghans-migration-trail-europe/

VoxEU: Columns, 11/07/2021: How not to disengage from a conflict: Evidence from NATO’s war in Afghanistan https://voxeu.org/article/how-not-disengage-conflict-evidence-afghanistan

Amnesty International: Press Release, 13/07/2021: Europe/Afghanistan: European countries must heed Afghan call to halt returns https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2021/07/europe-afghanistan-european-countries-must-heed-afghan-call-to-halt-returns/

Foreign Policy, 14/07/2021: Biden’s Afghan Withdrawal Will Spark the Next Refugee Crisis https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/07/14/biden-afghan-withdrawal-europe-refugee-crisis/

Human Rights Watch: News, 22/07/2021: NGOs urge, European countries should immediately cease all deportations to Afghanistan https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/07/22/ngos-urge-european-countries-should-immediately-cease-all-deportations-afghanistan

TRT World: Opinion, 13/08/2021: A joint Turkey-EU approach for the growing Afghan refugee wave https://www.trtworld.com/opinion/a-joint-turkey-eu-approach-for-the-growing-afghan-refugee-wave-49158

Politico, 13/08/2021: Afghanistan’s crisis will soon be Europe’s too https://www.politico.eu/article/afghanistan-crisis-war-taliban-europe-problem/

Emerging Europe, 16/08/2021: Central and Eastern Europe scrambles to react to Taliban victory in Afghanistan https://emerging-europe.com/news/central-and-eastern-europe-scrambles-to-react-to-taliban-victory-in-afghanistan/

Euronews, 16/08/2021: Will the Afghanistan crisis spark a refugee influx to Europe? https://www.euronews.com/2021/08/16/as-chaos-deepens-in-afghanistan-is-europe-on-the-verge-of-a-fresh-refugee-crisis

Deutsche Welle: Commentary, 16/08/2021: Taliban surge in Afghanistan: EU and NATO in state of shock https://p.dw.com/p/3z3fd

TIME Magazine, 18/08/2021: Europe Sees a Migration Crisis in the Making in Afghanistan. Have the Lessons of the 2015 Surge Been Learned? https://time.com/6091084/afghanistan-taliban-europe-migration/

New Statesman, 18/08/2021: The Afghanistan crisis shows Europe cannot wall itself off from the world https://www.newstatesman.com/world/2021/08/afghanistan-crisis-shows-europe-cannot-wall-itself-world

Atlantic Council: Blog, 18/08/2021: Experts react: What the fall of Afghanistan means for Europe https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/experts-react-what-the-fall-of-afghanistan-means-for-europe/

CER: Insights, 19/08/2021: You can leave Afghanistan, but will Afghanistan leave you? https://www.cer.eu/insights/you-can-leave-afghanistan-will-afghanistan-leave-you

Chatham House: Expert Comment, 20/08/2021: The aftermath: Navigating a Taliban-led Afghanistan https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021/08/aftermath-navigating-taliban-led-afghanistan

VOA News, 23/08/2021: Will Afghanistan Create Another Migrant Crisis for Europe? https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/will-afghanistan-create-another-migrant-crisis-europe

The Conversation (UK), 23/08/2021: Where do Afghanistan’s refugees go? https://theconversation.com/where-do-afghanistans-refugees-go-166316

Statewatch: News, 23/08/2021: EU: Tracking the Pact: Migration plans for Afghanistan before the fall of the government https://www.statewatch.org/news/2021/august/eu-tracking-the-pact-migration-plans-for-afghanistan-before-the-fall-of-the-government/

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 24/08/2021: What Afghanistan Should Mean for Europe https://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/85189

EUObserver: Opinion, 24/08/2021: Afghanistan: Europe's disgrace https://euobserver.com/opinion/152704

Human Rights Watch: News, 24/08/2021: Europe: Lead Efforts to Protect At-Risk Afghans https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/08/24/europe-lead-efforts-protect-risk-afghans

ECRE: News, 25/08/2021: Joint Statement: Current Priorities for an EU Response to the Situation in Afghanistan https://ecre.org/joint-statement-current-priorities-for-an-eu-response-to-the-situation-in-afghanistan/

ECFR: Collection, 25/08/2021: The fall of the Afghan government and what it means for Europe https://ecfr.eu/publication/the-fall-of-the-afghan-government-and-what-it-means-for-europe/

Foreign Policy, 27/08/2021: The Real Reason U.S. Allies Are Upset About Afghanistan https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/08/27/the-real-reason-u-s-allies-are-upset-about-afghanistan/

BBC News, 31/08/2021: Afghanistan: How many refugees are there and where will they go? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-58283177

UK in a Changing Europe: Commentary, 31/08/2021: Europe's Afghanistan Problem https://ukandeu.ac.uk/europes-afghanistan-problem/

Deutsche Welle, 02/09/2021: Is the fall of Kabul the kick European defense needs? https://p.dw.com/p/3zq7z

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 02/09/2021: Judy Asks: Should the West Talk to the Taliban? https://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/85255

ECFR: Commentary, 02/09/2021: Why Afghanistan was not a failure of European strategic autonomy https://ecfr.eu/article/why-afghanistan-was-not-a-failure-of-european-strategic-autonomy/

EPRS: At a Glance, 02/09/2021: Afghanistan once more under Taliban rule https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_ATA(2021)696192

ECRE: Editorial, 03/09/2021: The JHA Council on Afghanistan: all about the EU https://ecre.org/editorial-the-jha-council-on-afghanistan-all-about-the-eu/

Atlantic Council: Blog, 03/09/2021: Germany’s defense minister: Only political will can protect Europe https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/germanys-defense-minister-only-political-will-can-protect-europe/

BBC News, 03/09/2021: Afghanistan crisis: How Europe's relationship with Joe Biden turned sour https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58416848

The Economist, 04/09/2021: After Afghanistan, Europe wonders if France was right about America https://www.economist.com/europe/2021/09/04/after-afghanistan-europe-wonders-if-france-was-right-about-america

Politico: Analysis, 06/09/2021: For EU, Afghanistan is now a four-letter word https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-afghanistan-military-capability-defense-nato/

The Atlantic, 07/09/2021: Europe’s Afghanistan Myopia https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2021/09/afghanistan-taliban-europe-britain/619985/

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News

Politico, 15/04/2021: Biden’s Afghan pullout triggers unease among NATO allies https://www.politico.eu/article/united-states-afghanistan-pullout-triggers-unease-among-nato-allies-joe-biden/

BBC News, 07/06/2021: Germany to ship army beer home from Afghanistan https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57386704

Politico, 13/06/2021: Biden heads to NATO amid friction over Afghanistan withdrawal https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/13/biden-nato-afghanistan-withdrawal-493580

Associated Press, 30/06/2021: Most European troops exit Afghanistan quietly after 20 years https://apnews.com/article/9c1c4f5732c032ba85865aab0338a7a3

EurActiv, 13/07/2021: Afghanistan turmoil causes EU new migration headaches https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/afghanistan-turmoil-causes-eu-new-migration-headaches/

Statewatch: Observatory, 14/07/2021: Finland halts deportations to Afghanistan after U.S. troops leave https://www.statewatch.org/observatories/immigration-and-asylum-in-europe/2021/finland-halts-deportations-to-afghanistan-after-u-s-troops-leave/

The Local, 16/07/2021: Sweden halts deportations to Afghanistan https://www.thelocal.com/20210716/sweden-halts-deportations-to-afghanistan/

Reuters, 22/07/2021: As war rages, EU weighs more funds to limit Afghans fleeing to bloc https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/war-rages-eu-weighs-more-funds-limit-afghans-fleeing-bloc-2021-07-22/

VOA News, 02/08/2021: As Taliban Advances, Europe Fears an Afghan Migration Crisis https://www.voanews.com/europe/taliban-advances-europe-fears-afghan-migration-crisis

Associated Press, 10/08/2021: Six EU nations want migrants forced back to Afghanistan https://apnews.com/article/386a7150f322b9022b50e63dacd0d00c

Balkan Insight, 10/08/2021: Afghan Refugee Wave Sharpens EU-Turkey Migration Crisis https://balkaninsight.com/2021/08/10/afghan-refugee-wave-sharpens-eu-turkey-migration-crisis/

Reuters, 10/08/2021: Six EU countries warn against open door for Afghan asylum seekers https://www.reuters.com/world/six-countries-urge-eu-not-stop-deportations-afghanistan-belgium-says-2021-08-10/

Politico, 12/08/2021: Europe a fearful bystander as Taliban sweep through Afghanistan https://www.politico.eu/article/taliban-afghanistan-europe-reaction/

EurActiv, 16/08/2021: European powers scramble to evacuate from Afghanistan as Taliban take over the country https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/european-powers-scramble-to-evacuate-from-afghanistan-as-taliban-take-over-the-country/

The Guardian, 16/08/2021: Expected Afghan influx reopens divisions over refugees in Europe https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/16/expected-afghan-influx-reopens-divisions-over-refugees-europe

The Local (Italy), 18/08/2021: ‘No time to lose’: How is Italy responding to the Afghan refugee crisis? https://www.thelocal.it/20210818/no-time-to-lose-how-is-italy-responding-to-the-afghan-refugee-crisis/

El País, 19/08/2021: Spain receives the first Afghan asylum seekers who will later be sent to other EU countries https://english.elpais.com/international/2021-08-19/spain-receives-the-first-afghan-asylum-seekers-who-will-be-later-sent-to-other-eu-countries.html

RTÉ News, 19/08/2021: Afghanistan situation a 'catastrophe and nightmare' - EU https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2021/0819/1241651-eu-afghanistan/

RFE/RL, 27/08/2021: Bulgaria Sends Troops To Border As EU Braces For Afghan Migrant Flows https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-border-migrants-afghanistan-/31430530.html

France24, 31/08/2021: EU pledges to help Afghanistan’s neighbours to cope with refugees https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210831-eu-holds-emergency-meeting-on-possible-influx-of-afghan-refugees

RFI News, 31/08/2021: EU to pay Afghanistan's neighbours to keep refugees https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20210831-eu-to-pay-afghanistan-s-neighbors-to-keep-refugees

Euronews, 01/09/2021: Afghanistan crisis sparks debate over EU's military capabilities https://www.euronews.com/2021/09/01/europe-failed-on-kabul-airlift-afghanistan-refugees-eu-officials

France24, 01/09/2021: Wake-up call? Afghanistan highlights need for 'autonomous' EU military force https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210901-wake-up-call-afghanistan-highlights-need-for-autonomous-eu-military-force

EUObserver, 02/09/2021: EU seeks Afghan safe passage to Pakistan https://euobserver.com/migration/152785

The Guardian, 02/09/2021: US withdrawal from Afghanistan will lead to EU army, says top diplomat https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/02/us-withdrawal-from-afghanistan-will-lead-to-eu-army-says-top-diplomat

EurActiv, 02/09/2021: Post-Afghanistan, EU defence moves closer towards military coalitions https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/post-afghanistan-eu-defence-moves-closer-towards-military-coalitions/

Associated Press, 02/09/2021: EU pushes for more autonomy amid Afghanistan fallout https://apnews.com/article/d6f785d6e0a7cd24e7a3c0c5a9fd4bf4

Reuters, 04/09/2021: Afghanistan a wake-up call for Europe on defence, leadership - France https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/afghanistan-wake-up-call-europe-defence-leadership-france-2021-09-04/

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Official

US Government: White House: Remarks by President Biden on the Way Forward in Afghanistan (14 April 2021) https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/04/14/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-way-forward-in-afghanistan/

US Government: Defense Department: News, 14/04/2021: Biden Announces Full U.S. Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan by Sept. 11 https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2573268/biden-announces-full-us-troop-withdrawal-from-afghanistan-by-sept-11/

German Federal Foreign Office: Communiqué of the Special Envoys and Special Representatives of the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, NATO, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States on the Afghan Peace Process (5 May 2021) https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aussenpolitik/laenderinformationen/afghanistan-node/-/2458136

French Embassy in the UK: News, 07/07/2021: France calls for end to violence in Afghanistan https://uk.ambafrance.org/France-calls-for-end-to-violence-in-Afghanistan

US Government: State Department: U.S.-Europe Communiqué on Afghanistan and Peace Efforts (23 July 2021) https://www.state.gov/u-s-europe-communique-on-afghanistan-and-peace-efforts/

NATO: News, 13/08/2021: NATO Secretary General statement on Afghanistan https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_186033.htm

European Parliament: Press Release, 16/08/2021: Afghanistan: lead MEPs demand safe departure of EU nationals and Afghan partners and urgent tackling of humanitarian crisis https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210816IPR10101/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 17/08/2021: Afghanistan: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/08/17/afghanistan-declaration-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union/

NATO: Press briefing on Afghanistan by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (17 August 2021) https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_186040.htm

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 18/08/2021: Afghanistan: Joint Statement on the situation of women and girls https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/08/18/afghanistan-joint-statement-on-the-situation-of-women-and-girls/

European Commission: Statement by Commissioner Johansson on the situation in Afghanistan at the extraordinary meeting of Interior Ministers (18 August 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_21_4286

European Parliament: Press Release, 19/08/2021: Afghanistan: provide humanitarian help to locals, MEPs urge https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210817IPR10202/

NATO: Statement by NATO Foreign Ministers on Afghanistan (20 August 2021) https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_186086.htm

European Commission: Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel and Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez during the visit to the welcome hub for evacuated Afghan EU Delegation staff and their families at Torrejón Air Base (21 August 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_21_4341

European Council: Press Release, 21/08/2021: Remarks by President Charles Michel following his visit to the Madrid’s reception centre for EU’s Afghan staff evacuated from Kabul https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/08/21/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-following-his-visit-to-the-madrid-s-reception-centre-for-eu-s-afghan-staff-evacuated-from-kabul/

European Council: Press Release, 24/08/2021: Remarks by President Charles Michel following the G7 leaders’ meeting on Afghanistan via videoconference https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/08/24/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-following-the-g7-leaders-meeting-on-afghanistan-via-videoconference/

European Commission: Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel following the G7 leaders' meeting on Afghanistan via videoconference (24 August 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_21_4381

NATO: News, 24/08/2021: NATO Secretary General participates in G7 meeting on Afghanistan https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_186194.htm

European Parliament: Press Release, 27/08/2021: Afghanistan: Lead MEPs condemn barbaric attack at Kabul airport https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210827IPR10711/

NATO: News, 30/08/2021: NATO Secretary General attends virtual ministerial meeting on Afghanistan https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_186213.htm

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 31/08/2021: Statement on the situation in Afghanistan https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/08/31/statement-on-the-situation-in-afghanistan/

GUE/NGL Group: News, 03/09/2021: Afghanistan: Europe cannot look the other way https://left.eu/afghanistan-europe-cannot-look-the-other-way/

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