French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday (August 29) that France, the United Kingdom and Germany are working on a UN proposal to establish a safe zone in Kabul to allow safe passage for people trying to leave Afghanistan.
Macron said that France has begun discussions with the Taliban on how to further evacuate, and that the resolution will be submitted to an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council for members with veto power on Monday.
“There are some discussions to see how to re-establish flights,” Macron said in a TV interview on French TF1 radio, adding that Qatar is also helping with negotiations.
“What we propose, and what we plan to submit to the UN Security Council with the United Kingdom and Germany is a solution we have used in other operations before, which will involve creating an area that allows people to reach the airport.”
When asked whether he was optimistic that the Taliban could accept it, Macron said it was too early to draw any conclusions, but he said it was worth pursuing.
“It can mobilize the entire international community, and it can put pressure on the Taliban,” Macron said, adding that they must show that they are willing to respect humanitarian concerns. Macron added that the discussion with the Taliban does not mean that France will formally recognize the Taliban’s rule.
According to a joint statement issued on Sunday by the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries including France, the Taliban will allow all foreign nationals and Afghan citizens who have obtained travel permits from another country to leave Afghanistan.
Macron said during his visit to Mosul, Iraq, that he hopes the resolution will be welcomed by other countries.
“I don’t see anyone who can oppose ensuring the safety of humanitarian operations,” Macron told reporters.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is holding meetings on Afghanistan with UN special envoys in the United Kingdom, France, the United States, China and Russia. These envoys are permanent members of the Security Council and have veto power.
Macron said on Saturday that France is having preliminary discussions with the Taliban on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and the possible evacuation of more people.
The U.S. troops guarding Kabul Airport will withdraw before the Tuesday deadline set by President Joe Biden. France is one of the countries that have also stopped evacuating from Kabul Airport, including diplomats currently in France.
