“We cannot impose democracy, a government from the outside” declared Emmanuel Macron this Sunday about Afghanistan in the 20 Hours television newscast presented by Anne-Claire Coudray, also considering that a discussion with the Taliban did not prejudge an external recognition.
“We cannot impose democracy, a government from the outside. When we intervene, we must do so alongside a sovereign state. It is not by force of arms that a sovereign state is created, ”explained Emmanuel Macron, thus ruling out any external action by France.
No automatic recognition
The head of state also considered that the discussions with the Taliban did not prejudge a later recognition. “Those who have control are the Taliban, in a very practical way we must have these discussions, this does not prejudge recognition”, explained the Head of State, while setting a red line: ” If they come to terms with the terrorist movements, it will be unacceptable to all of us. “
Emmanuel Macron also promised that the presence of French forces was not dependent on the American presence: “Our special forces are engaged.
in a courageous fight, we will maintain them as long as the terrorist forces are there. If the Americans decided to withdraw, we would not be dependent on this decision ”, declared the President of the Republic.
A migratory movement comparable to that of 2015?
The arrivals of Afghan migrants expected in Europe after the Taliban takeover will not be as numerous as the massive arrivals of 2015 linked to the war in Syria, according to Emmanuel Macron.
“I don’t think the situation we are going to experience is comparable to 2015 because Afghanistan is not Syria, and because there have already been very strong movements” of Afghan migrants over the years. “What is certain is that there will be more people who will try to come to Europe and therefore this will create pressure on our capacities to welcome”, he said, referring to the illegal migratory flows, and after repeating that France would also welcome the Afghans threatened by the Taliban.
Streamline solutions for migrants
Regarding the Afghans that France wants to protect from the Taliban because of their commitment alongside France in the past or their commitment to human rights, there remain “several thousand women and men who need to be protected. », Declared the President.
“We did the maximum of what we could do (…) we are going to build with our partners, also through negotiations with the Taliban which is now needed, solutions for over time, as much as possible, to allow them to leave Kabul and Afghanistan, and to be protected, ”he said, as France closed its airlift on Friday and the United States is about to close theirs.
From Erbil
Emmanuel Macron gave an interview to journalist Alison Tassin on the situation in Afghanistan and the region, and its repercussions in France. The interview with the Head of State took place from Erbil, the capital of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan.
“As part of his trip this weekend to Iraq for a regional summit co-organized by France around stability and terrorism, the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron will give an exclusive interview to TF1 on site,” the channel announced. in a press release.