Global Donors Get Pressed to Talk to Taliban for Economic Relief

(MENAFN) Global contributors, particularly from European countries, were called upon Friday to intensify negotiations with the Taliban-led interim government in Kabul in order to cushion the blow of US financial assistance reductions in Afghanistan.

“US aid cuts are not likely to be reversed, so European and regional states should protect their interests by slowing the drawdown and mitigating its effects on Afghan livelihoods,” stated the International Crisis Group think tank in its latest publication on the conflict-ravaged country.

The report further urged, “Donors should urgently accelerate talks with Taliban about economic recovery, allowing for exit strategies that preserve basic services.”

The moment, the group noted, calls for a more “realistic yet principled approach that prizes the well-being of Afghans over political aims that presently appear unachievable,” highlighting cost-efficient strategies to combat destitution—such as scaling back aid projects while sustaining fundamental provisions, encouraging employment generation, and reviving halted trade, investment, and infrastructure ventures.

Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump terminated aid to Afghanistan and several other nations, aligning with his broader international policy agenda.

As a consequence of these reductions, over 422 healthcare centers have ceased operations across Afghanistan, depriving over 3 million citizens of medical services.

Simultaneously, water infrastructure is deteriorating due to the absence of upkeep.

“At a minimum, donors should ease the legal and policy restrictions that stifle Afghanistan’s economic recovery. At best, countries that impose sanctions should rethink why those penalties are inflicted on Afghanistan and offer ways of ending the economic punishment,” the report concluded.

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