French Foreign Minister: Taliban lie, we will not establish relations with them
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the Taliban was lying about creating conditions for foreign citizens and Afghans to leave 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 this newly formed government, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian asserted on September 11 before leaving for Qatar to discuss the future evacuation of citizens from Afghanistan.
"They say they will let foreigners and Afghans leave freely, and talk about a government that is inclusive and representative of the people, but they are lying," Mr. Le Drian said on 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 a number of 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 the global financial system. However, this issue is currently causing much controversy within the US as well as between countries around the world.