EU President Calls on Member States To Take in Afghan Refugees Flown Out From Kabul
European Union President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday called on EU member states to welcome Afghan refugees who have left Kabul and pledged financial support from Brussels.
“For those who cannot return or stay home, we have to offer alternatives,” said von der Leyen after visiting a military base in northeastern Spain that will serve as a reception center for Afghans from Kabul who work for the EU.
“First and foremost, this means that we must provide those who need our protection with safe and legal channels at the global level that we organize.”
All EU countries that have carried out missions in Afghanistan should set appropriate quotas so that those in need of protection can receive them, he said.
“The Commission is ready to examine the budget necessary to help EU Member States move forward and relocate refugees,” he added.
Also Read: Afghanistan Crisis News: Chaos At Kabul Airport When Afghans Attempt To Escape
EU Council President Charles Michel, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borell, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Spanish also visited the base in Torrejoin de Ardoz.
“Approximately 150 people have been evacuated to date; our efforts on the ground will continue to protect all employees and their loved ones,” Borrell tweeted.
Sánchez said the center would be used to treat arriving Afghans and their families before settling in EU countries. It has a capacity of 800 people.
Some countries have already agreed to hire former EU agents, including Denmark and some of the Baltic states, he added without going into details.
For nearly a week, Western countries have been evacuating not only their own citizens, but also the Afghans who work for them and who fear reprisals from the new Taliban regime.
Also Read: Joe Biden convicted of evading Pakistan for withdrawing from Afghanistan
