EU pledges $1.42bn to Afghanistan but warns against return to Taliban rule

Aid is ‘conditional on the continued commitment to democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and gender equality’

Security forces stand outside Slice Bakery in Share-Naw, where one of the rockets hit, damaging a delivery van and injuring several people. Stefanie Glinski for The National

Security forces stand outside Slice Bakery in Share-Naw, where one of the rockets hit, damaging a delivery van and injuring several people. Stefanie Glinski for The National

One of the rockets hit Sana Medical Complex's paediatric ward. No one was injured. Stefanie Glinski for The National

Security forces stand outside Slice Bakery in Share-Naw, where one of the rockets hit, damaging a delivery van and injuring several people. Stefanie Glinski for The National

People wait outside Kabul's Emergency Hopsital in Share-Naw where at least 30 injured have been brought. Stefanie Glinski for The National

Security forces stand outside Slice Bakery in Share-Naw, where one of the rockets hit, damaging a delivery van and injuring several people. Stefanie Glinski for The National

Afghan security forces cordon off the area of a rocket attack site in Kabul, Afghanistan. According to media reports at least one person was killed and three others were injured as several rockets landed on the Afghann capital. EPA

Security personnel inspect a damaged vehicle which was carrying and shooting rockets, in the aftermath of a rocket attack in Kabul, Afghanistan. According to media reports at least three people were killed and 11 others were injured as multiple rockets landed on the Afghann capital. EPA

Security personnel inspect a damaged vehicle which was carrying and shooting rockets, in the aftermath of a rocket attack in Kabul, Afghanistan. According to media reports at least three people were killed and 11 others were injured as multiple rockets landed on the Afghann capital. EPA

People inspect a damaged house after several rockets land at Khair Khana, north west of Kabul. A series of loud explosions shook central Kabul, including several rockets that landed near the heavily fortified Green Zone where many embassies and international firms are based, officials said. /AFP

People gather on a roof of a building in Kabul, Afghanistan in this still image obtained from a video. REUTERS

Men carry an injured person to a hospital after rockets hit residential areas in Kabul, Afghanistan. REUTERS

An injured man is carried to a hospital after rockets hit residential areas in Kabul, Afghanistan. REUTERS

A damaged house is seen after several rockets land at Khair Khana, north west of Kabul. A series of loud explosions shook central Kabul on November 21, including several rockets that landed near the heavily fortified Green Zone where many embassies and international firms are based, officials said. AFP

Residents gather at a site after several rockets land at Khair Khana, north west of Kabul. A series of loud explosions shook central Kabul on November 21, including several rockets that landed near the heavily fortified Green Zone where many embassies and international firms are based, officials said. AFP

Residents gather at a site after several rockets land at Khair Khana, north west of Kabul. A series of loud explosions shook central Kabul on November 21, including several rockets that landed near the heavily fortified Green Zone where many embassies and international firms are based, officials said. AFP

People inspect a damaged house after several rockets land at Khair Khana, north west of Kabul. A series of loud explosions shook central Kabul on November 21, including several rockets that landed near the heavily fortified Green Zone where many embassies and international firms are based, officials said. AFP

A man inspects a damaged house after several rockets land at Khair Khana, north west of Kabul. A series of loud explosions shook central Kabul on November 21, including several rockets that landed near the heavily fortified Green Zone where many embassies and international firms are based, officials said. AFP

Security personnel inspect a damaged vehicle which was carrying and shooting the rockets, in the aftermath of a rocket attack in Kabul, Afghanistan. According to media reports at least three people were killed and 11 others were injured as multiple rockets landed on the Afghann capital. EPA

Security personnel inspect a damaged vehicle which was carrying and shooting rockets, in the aftermath of a rocket attack in Kabul, Afghanistan. According to media reports at least three people were killed and 11 others were injured as multiple rockets landed on the Afghann capital. EPA

A security officer inspects a rocket hole in a private building in downtown Kabul, Afghanistan. According to media reports at least one person was killed and three others were injured as several rockets landed on the Afghann capital. EPA

The European Union has pledged €1.2 billion ($1.42bn) in support to Afghanistan over the next four years, but its chief diplomat said that a return to the Taliban’s hardline rule would damage any future financial and political engagement.

An Afghan donor conference is under way in Geneva, but there are fears that aid pledges may be lower than when the last event was held four years ago – which raised $15.2 billion – as governments struggle financially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has conceded that the money given may be less in 2020 but said funds were critical to future growth.

"Despite our suffering, I want to be very clear that our commitment to negotiations with the Taliban remains firm ... we must bring an end to the violence that is haunting our lives and robbing our children of the joys of childhood," he told the online conference.

Civil society activists wearing face masks prepare for a campaign to raise awareness of the new coronavirus in Kabul, Afghanistan. AP Photo

Afghans show their national IDs as they wait to cross into Afghanistan after Pakistani authorities closed the border at Chaman, Pakistan. EPA

Hospital staff wear hazmet suits inside the coronavirus center in Kandahar, Afghanistan. EPA

Afghan boys wearing face masks walk at a down town street in Kabul, Afghanistan. AP Photo

Afghanistan Health Minister Ferozuddin Feroz gives a news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan. AP Photo

Men walk past Afghan's trucks parked along a road near the closed Pakistan-Afghanistan border amid concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, in Torkham some 54 kms from Peshahwar. AFP

Afhan trucks line up as they wait to cross the Pakistan-Afghanistan closed amid concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, in Torkham some 54 kms fron Peshawar. AFPMAJEED

A Pakistani soldier stands guard at Pak-Afghan border after it was closed due to coronavirus, in Chaman, Pakistan. EPA

A man walks past at an empty bus terminal near the closed Pakistan-Afghanistan border amid concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, in Torkham some 54 kms from Peshahwar. AFP

Peace talks are ongoing with the Taliban militant group, which governed much of the country from 1996 to 2001 as the strict Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. A US-led war that ousted them has destroyed the impoverished country.

Jutta Urpilainen, who leads international partnerships at the European Commission, said the financial commitment was “conditional on the continued commitment to democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and gender equality”.

"In 2016, the EU showed its strong commitment to Afghanistan by pledging €1.2bn over a four-year period," she said.

"It is my pleasure to announce today that we are ready to keep this level of support for the next four years."

In areas under its control, the Taliban carries out numerous human rights abuses and women are routinely oppressed and withdrawn from public life.

The EU’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, said the peace process required greater commitment from the Taliban as he called for the violence to stop “not tomorrow, but right now”.

“A genuine partner for peace should not only spare international citizens from attacks, but also stop attacking and killing its own compatriots,” he told the conference.

“The outcome of the peace process should be owned by the population at large. To achieve the necessary legitimacy, the process must be inclusive.

“The voices of women, youth, minorities and victims of war must be heard and their rightful demands addressed. Only a broad-based, national consensus on the foundations of the future Afghanistan will lead to lasting peace,” Mr Borrell said.

Afghan authorities and the Taliban have held talks in Qatar since September, but no progress has been made and violence persists despite an agreement over the withdrawal of US troops.

US Marines keep watch as unseen Afghan National Army soldiers participate in an IED (improvised explosive device) training exercise at the Shorab Military Camp in 2017. AFP

US troops patrol at an Afghan army Base in Logar province on August 7, 2018. Reuters

US soldiers patrol a street in central Kabul December 11, 2004. Reuters

US troops under Afghanistan's International Security Assistance Force, and Afghan National Army soldiers conduct a joint security patrol in the centre of Kandalay village. AFP

US troops patrol at an Afghan National Army (ANA) base in Logar province, Afghanistan in 2018. Reuters

US Army soldiers patrol in the village of Chariagen in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province southern Afghanistan in 2011. Reuters

Afghan residents chat with US. Army Lieutenant Steven Gibbs as he patrols with his platoon in Pul-e Alam, a town in Logar province, eastern Afghanistan in 2011. Reuters

US soldiers gather during an exercise at the Kandahar airbase in Afghanistan in 2005. Reuters

U.S. Army soldiers with 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division stand near their armored vehicles before they start their journey home at Contingency Operating Site Kalsu, south of Baghdad, Iraq. AP

A handout photo made available by the US Marine Corps shows US Marines inside the perimeter of Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. EPA

A US soldier is seen during a handover ceremony of Taji military base from US-led coalition troops to Iraqi security forces, in the base north of Baghdad, Iraq August 23, 2020. Reuters

US soldiers have been in Iraq for nearly two decades. AFP

US soldiers are seen during a handover ceremony of Taji military base from US-led coalition troops to Iraqi security forces, in the base north of Baghdad, Iraq on August 23, 2020. Reuters

“I would like to reaffirm today the European Union’s commitment to continue to support the Afghan people, both politically and financially. We want to help to build a sovereign, unified and democratic Afghanistan on a path towards prosperity and self-reliance,” Mr Borrell said.

“Afghanistan’s future trajectory must preserve the democratic and human rights gains since 2001, most notably as regards women’s and children’s rights. As the United Nations Security Council said, any attempt to restore an Islamic Emirate would have an impact on our political and financial engagement,” he said.

Deborah Lyons, head of the UN's mission to Afghanistan, said Afghans needed ongoing political, financial and technical support from the international community.

“Now is not the time to walk away," she said.

The UK, which also sent troops to Afghanistan in 2001 and has given significant funds to the country, pledged £155m ($206.2m). It said continued funding would be closely linked to the peace process, progress on reducing poverty and protecting human rights.