The European Union and Afghanistan
The EU is committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan and the development of a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan where full, equal and meaningful participation of all Afghans in governing the country is possible.
Long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan requires an inclusive political process with full, equal and meaningful participation of Afghan women and men, and upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international conventions to which Afghanistan is a state party.
Political Relations
The EU remains physically present in Afghanistan to foster dialogue on the EU’s political priorities and to ensure the EU’s continued support to the Afghan people.
The EU Delegation’s engagement in Afghanistan focuses on the implementation of the five benchmarks laid out in the Council Conclusions from 21 September 2021, restated in the Council Conclusions of 20 March 2023. These include:
- Allowing implementation of humanitarian operations in Afghanistan in line with the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence and full respect of international humanitarian law.
- Promotion, protection and respect of all human rights, in particular the rights of women, girls, children and minorities.
- Establishment of an inclusive and representative government through negotiations.
- Preventing Afghanistan from serving as a base for hosting, financing or exporting terrorism to other countries.
- Safe, secure and orderly departure of all foreign nationals and Afghans wishing to leave the country.
The EU and its Member States’ operational engagement, in the interest of the EU and of the Afghan people, is calibrated to the policies and actions of the Taliban de facto authorities, and does not bestow any legitimacy on it.
Basic needs support
Since 2021, the EU has shifted its development aid to basic human needs and livelihoods assistance in Afghanistan. In the period that followed, in addition to humanitarian aid, the EU has provided a total of €1,079 billion for basic services, livelihoods, forced displacement and migration. EU projects are implemented in line with the international community’s principled approach (including focusing on supporting women and girls in Afghanistan in a by-women-for-women approach).
EU funding is not channelled through the de facto authorities but via UN agencies and International Non-Governmental Organisations, which team-up with local partners.
Humanitarian Aid
Since 1994, the EU, through ECHO, has provided around €2.1 billion in humanitarian funding to Afghanistan. In 2025, ECHO allocated €168 million in humanitarian assistance, while €162.5 million has been allocated so far in 2026 to address the country’s ongoing humanitarian needs.
The funding supports life-saving interventions across key sectors, including Health, Food Security and Livelihoods, Nutrition, Protection, Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance, Disaster Preparedness, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Humanitarian Coordination, Education in Emergencies, Mine Action, and Shelter and Settlements.
EU humanitarian aid in Afghanistan is exclusively channelled through our humanitarian partners on the ground. The funding strictly adheres to the humanitarian principles of independence, impartiality and neutrality to ensure it reaches Afghans most in need.