French Foreign Minister: Taliban lie, we will not establish relations with them
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the Taliban were lying about facilitating the departure of foreign citizens and Afghans from the country, and affirmed that France would not establish relations with the Taliban government.
The Taliban are lying and France will not establish any relations with the newly formed government, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on September 11 before leaving for Qatar to discuss the future evacuation of its citizens from Afghanistan.
"They say they will let foreigners and Afghans leave freely, and they talk about an inclusive and representative government, but they are lying," Le Drian told France 5 TV.
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"France refuses to recognize or establish any relations with this government. We want actions from the Taliban. They will need some economic opportunities as well as international relations. This depends on them," the French Foreign Minister assessed.
France has evacuated about 3,000 people and has held talks with the Taliban to allow the evacuation to take place.
Mr. Le Drian said that some French people and hundreds of Afghans with ties to France are still in Afghanistan./.
How will the US use financial leverage with the Taliban government in Afghanistan?
The Biden administration is under pressure to prevent the Taliban from accessing global financial systems, but the issue is controversial within the US and around the world.