EU eyes talks with Taliban but no plans to recognize them

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says the bloc has no intention of recognizing the Taliban after its sweeping victory in Afghanistan

BRUSSELS -- The European Union has no immediate plans to recognize the Taliban after their sweeping victory in Afghanistan but will talk with the militants to ensure that European citizens and Afghans who have worked with the EU can leave safely, the bloc’s top diplomat said Tuesday. Speaking after leading emergency talks among the EU's foreign ministers, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also underlined the importance of opening talks with the Taliban to help prevent a new exodus of refugees as a humanitarian crisis unfolds in the conflict-ravaged country. “We have to get in touch with the authorities in Kabul, whatever they are. The Taliban have won the war, so we will have to talk with them,” Borrell told reporters. “This dialogue will also have to focus on the means to prevent the return of foreign terrorists.” “It’s not a matter of official recognition, it’s a matter of dealing with” the Taliban, Borrell said.