EU interior ministers on Afghanistan: money, border protection and orderly migration

In a special meeting, the EU interior ministers discuss the situation in Afghanistan. Before the meeting, Federal Interior Minister Seehofer called on the EU to support the country’s neighboring states. From Jakob Mayr.

The host expects a “frank and open debate”. That was what Ales Hojs said at the beginning of the meeting, the Minister of the Interior of Slovenia, which currently holds the EU Presidency. EU Interior Commissioner Ylva Johansson appealed to the member states to act quickly: “We can still prevent a humanitarian crisis or a refugee crisis or a threat to our security from Afghanistan, but then we have to act now and not wait until we see large flows of refugees the external borders or terrorist groups that are growing in strength. ”

More money for aid organizations

The European Union does not want to repeat the mistakes of the past few years and does not want to provide enough money to support Afghan refugees. The interior ministers are discussing a draft text that provides for increased financial support for international aid organizations. It is particularly about UN agencies with the aim of stabilizing the region and ensuring that humanitarian aid really reaches those in need – especially women and children in Afghanistan and neighboring countries.

The draft text does not make direct reference to the refugee crisis of 2015, instead it says: On the basis of previous experience, the EU wants to prevent uncontrolled illegal migratory movements as in the past. In concrete terms, this means: no incentives to illegal migration, more help for Afghanistan’s neighbors to ensure that those in need receive protection, especially there.

The EU also wants to work with these countries – Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan – to prevent illegal migration. According to the draft text, the border protection is to be strengthened in order to put an end to smugglers. How many people in need of protection from Afghanistan should be accommodated in the EU remains to be seen. The draft only says that support in the form of resettlement could be provided on a voluntary basis, with women and children being given priority.

Seehofer wants to avoid the “pull effect”

Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer said that in Germany local workers and those in particular need of protection would initially be given a residence permit. In addition, the CSU politician does not want to commit himself: “As the federal government, we have always agreed on resettlement programs for the particularly needy. We are also ready for that. But I do not think it is very wise if we talk about numbers now. Because numbers of course trigger something – trigger a pull effect. And we don’t want that, “says Seehofer.

The interior ministers are also concerned about the security situation after the Taliban came to power. The EU will do everything in its power to ensure that no new security threats arise for EU citizens, according to the draft. The Taliban regime must cut all ties to international terrorism and ensure that Afghanistan does not become a haven for terrorists again.