A virtual G7 summit called urgently by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who currently chairs "the group of seven", on Afghanistan was held on Tuesday 24 August. ...

G7: Biden maintains August 31 withdrawal date from Afghanistan despite EU pressure

US President Joe Biden at the White House on August 23, 2021. Getty Images via AFP - DREW ANGERER

Text by: RFI Follow

3 min

A virtual G7 summit called urgently by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who currently chairs "the group of seven", on Afghanistan was held on Tuesday 24 August.

The heads of state and government of member countries have warned the Taliban about respect for human rights and terrorism.

European countries, on the other hand, failed to convince the United States to continue the evacuations beyond August 31.

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The main information from this summit is that the Europeans have not succeeded in bending Joe Biden, since the President of the United States has decided to maintain the end of evacuations from Afghanistan to August 31 as has been reported. White House officials cited by US media.

Yet that was the main stake of this meeting, at least for the United Kingdom, France and Germany who wanted to try to convince Joe Biden to postpone his departure from Afghanistan, reports our correspondent in London,

Claire Digiacomi

European countries wanted more time to evacuate their nationals and the thousands of Afghans trying to flee the Taliban, but without the support of American soldiers

present at Kabul airport

, it would be difficult to continue these operations in complete safety.

Joe Biden therefore did not accede to this request.

It must be said that the Taliban have made it known that they are categorically opposed to any postponement.

The leaders of the great powers, however, made it a "

first condition

" for the Taliban after coming to power to "

guarantee a safe passage

" for those who want to leave Afghanistan "

until August 31 and beyond,

" the official said. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson after the summit.

Taliban tighten noose around airport

In Kabul, the Taliban are in any case doing exactly the opposite of what the G7 is asking for, our special envoy on the spot,

Vincent Souriau

. The Taliban spokesman said this evening that on the contrary, the road leading to the evacuations will be closed tonight or tomorrow, it is not yet clear. Foreigners will still be allowed through, but not Afghans, who the Taliban are asking to return home.

The speech of No. 2, Mohammed Yaqub, is very clear.

According to him, the Afghans who leave Afghanistan to go to the West do so for their personal comfort and absolutely because they feel in danger.

What the Taliban also say, which they also say, is that they need qualified personnel: doctors, engineers, qualified civil servants ... Now, one might think that it is these Afghans. who mostly flee.

The others, unfortunately for them, do not have the means to reach Kabul and to take the necessary steps to obtain a visa.

G7: Biden maintains August 31 withdrawal date from Afghanistan despite EU pressure

G7: Biden maintains August 31 withdrawal date from Afghanistan despite EU pressure

Taliban tighten noose around airport

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