PM Boris Johnson spoke with International leaders, asked Pakistan not to recognize Taliban regime unilaterally

17 August 2021

Pakistan

Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Khan this afternoon.

The Prime Minister spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Khan this afternoon about the situation in Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister stressed his commitment to work with international partners to avoid a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan and the wider region.

The Prime Minister underlined that any recognition of the new government in Afghanistan to happen on an international, not unilateral basis. He said that any the legitimacy of any future Taliban government will be subject to them upholding internationally agreed standards on human rights and inclusivity.

The Prime Minister and Prime Minister Khan agreed their governments will keep in close contact in the coming days on the evolving situation.

German

Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke with German Chancellor Merkel this morning.

The Prime Minister spoke to German Chancellor Merkel this morning about the situation in Afghanistan.

They agreed that global cooperation was crucial, both on the urgent need to evacuate foreign nationals and others from Afghanistan, and the longer-term importance of preventing a humanitarian crisis in the country and region.

Both leaders resolved to use their bilateral and multilateral influence to encourage international partners to adopt a joined-up approach to the challenges ahead. The Prime Minister also stressed the need to agree shared international standards on human rights that any future Taliban government in Afghanistan will be held to by the international community.

The Prime Minister outlined his intention to convene G7 leaders for a virtual meeting to discuss this at the earliest opportunity.

France

The Prime Minister spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron this afternoon.

The Prime Minister spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron this afternoon to discuss the current situation in Afghanistan.

He stressed the need for the international community to come together and take a unified approach on Afghanistan, both in terms of recognising any future government and in working to prevent a humanitarian and refugee crisis.

The Prime Minister outlined his intention to host a virtual meeting of G7 leaders on Afghanistan in the coming days to this end.

The leaders both emphasised the ongoing importance of working together on the long-term future of Afghanistan and the immediate need to help our nationals and others get to safety. They agreed that the UK and France should work together at the UN Security Council, including on a possible joint-resolution.

SOURCE- Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP