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The action was jointly with Qatar and they withdrew 258 Afghan citizens, 11 French, 60 Dutch and others who, due to their activities, were at risk: as journalists or civilian workers of the Gallic army. The United Nations Development Program stated that the socio-economic situation of the Asian country will be alarming. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron said that, together with other European nations, they plan to open a united mission in the territory.
This Friday, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that, with the vital collaboration of Qatar, which was the one who organized the operation, carried out an evacuation mission in Afghanistan, where they removed around 300 people, of which 258 were Afghans.
Within that figure there were also eleven French, 60 Dutch and an indefinite number of people who were linked to them, according to the indications of a spokeswoman for the Ministry.
The evacuees were people who were considered at risk, such as journalists; others with ties to France, such as civilian army workers. It is the 10th flight that has been organized with Qatar since September, when the Taliban came to power, removing 396 nationals and 110 French, among others, from the country.
In addition, on Thursday, French and Qataris completed a humanitarian mission where they delivered medical equipment, food and winter supplies to international organizations operating in Afghanistan.
According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Afghan socio-economic situation in the medium term is delicate after the sharp drop in global support for development since the arrival of the Taliban. UNDP projects that poverty could become widespread by mid-2022.
European countries plan to open a joint mission in Afghanistan
This Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that nations of the Old Continent are working to enable a diplomatic space on Afghan soil, in order to ensure that their ambassadors can return to the Asian country.
Western countries and the United States closed their embassies and withdrew diplomats as the Taliban advanced on Kabul while US troops completed their departure. Subsequently, with the interim government in place, they have been unable to draw ties with Afghanistan and its leaders, who are under US and UN sanctions.
“We are thinking of an organization between several European countries, which would allow our ambassadors to be present,” Macron explained in Doha, minutes before heading to Jeddah.
The Taliban government is looked at askance after failing to deliver on promises of political, ethnic and gender inclusion. “This is a different management than a political recognition with the Taliban, we will have a representation as soon as we can open it,” said the French president.
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