Europe Eyes Afghanistan Presence as It Steps Up Talks With Taliban

BRUSSELS—The European Union is stepping up its engagement with Afghanistan’s new Taliban authorities as it tries to reduce a wave of refugees, and support EU citizens and at-possibility Afghans leave the nation.

EU officers said political recognition of the new federal government continues to be off the desk for now but on Friday said they would establish a representative office environment in Kabul as quickly as security disorders allow. Germany, France, the EU and many others have held talks with the Taliban in Qatar but the bloc’s go to re-establish a diplomatic existence in the nation marks a step towards acceptance of the new Afghan authorities.