The European Union has added its voice to a growing regional consensus that Pakistan’s demands from the Afghan Taliban are fair and consistent with expectations shared by key neighbouring states, including China, Iran and Russia. These demands relate to an inclusive Afghan government, the elimination of safe havens on Afghan soil, prevention of cross border militant activity and respect for human rights, particularly women’s rights.
In an interview with a Pakistani newspaper, the EU ambassador to Islamabad, Raimundas Karoblis, said Pakistan’s request that the Taliban act against Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan was reasonable. He noted that Islamabad’s concerns arise from security threats originating from across the border and reaffirmed the EU’s condemnation of terrorism in all forms.
According to the report, Karoblis agreed with Pakistan’s assessment that militants operating from inside Afghanistan were behind recent attacks. He stressed that tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban should be resolved through diplomatic channels and encouraged Pakistan to keep those channels open, including through ongoing mediation efforts by Türkiye.
Karoblis, who presented his credentials in Islamabad on 10 September and previously served as the EU’s ambassador to Tajikistan, said it was too early to reach any definite conclusion on whether the Taliban were fulfilling their Doha commitments that Afghan territory would not be used against any neighbour. He added that he did not have independent information to verify compliance.
A high level Pakistan EU strategic dialogue is planned in the coming weeks, led by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Pakistan’s foreign minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar. The agenda will include Afghanistan, the Russia Ukraine war, regional security and Pakistan’s role at the United Nations.
His remarks follow the collapse of the third round of Pakistan Taliban talks in Istanbul. Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif said the negotiations had hit a complete deadlock and that the delegation’s return without progress suggested mediators had also lost confidence in the process. Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid later confirmed the failure of the talks, saying they produced no results and that the Taliban would not allow Afghan soil to be used against any country.
