Bulgaria will continue to work with its European and international partners to achieve lasting solutions to stabilize Afghanistan and the region, said Deputy Foreign Minister Zaritsa Dinkova at the extraordinary video conference of the development ministers of the EU member states on 11th October 2021. The aim of the event was to exchange views on future joint and coordinated EU action to help the people of Afghanistan.
“A strong and consolidated approach is needed to meet the urgent needs of the Afghan people. It is important to combine the immediate humanitarian aid for the people with the efforts to support the development of the local communities,” said Deputy Minister Dinkova.
The women’s and girls’ rights situation was described as particularly worrying. “We need to protect human rights, with a special focus on women and girls. They must be able to get an education because they are shaping the future of Afghanistan. Specific support is needed to keep them active in local communities,” said Deputy Minister Zaritsa Dinkova. She added that the participation of all ethnic and religious minorities, as well as women, in society’s decision-making processes is an essential condition for the sustainability and effectiveness of future EU aid.
Close cooperation with neighboring countries has been identified as an important priority for the EU and the international community. In his speech, the Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister stressed that the promotion of political dialogue and cooperation with the countries in the region in the field of migration and the fight against human trafficking, as well as the promotion of regional connectivity initiatives is particularly important in this context. “Enhanced co-operation with the UN and regional organizations is imperative to address urgent humanitarian needs in Afghanistan and beyond,” said Zaritsa Dinkova.
EU development ministers also discussed a joint and coordinated approach with a view to providing EU support directly to the people of Afghanistan, ensuring the functioning of basic social systems and services, including health, nutrition and education, with a view to maintaining of the “texture” of the local communities of Afghanistan.
