Germany warns of economic chaos in Afghanistan

By Oliver Towfigh Nia

BERLIN (AA) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday urged the international community to help prevent a looming economic collapse in Afghanistan.

“To watch 40 million people fall into chaos because neither electricity can be supplied nor a financial system exists. This cannot and must not be the goal of the international community,” said Merkel in a live TV press statement in Berlin following an online G20 special summit on the situation in Afghanistan.

"None of us benefit, if the entire currency system collapses or the financial system collapses in Afghanistan because then humanitarian aid can no longer be provided," Merkel added.

She stressed that the IMF and World Bank have a major task in preventing the collapse of the financial system in Afghanistan.

The joint annual meeting of the IMF and the World Bank is currently taking place in Washington, D.C.

According to UN figures, around 18 million Afghans – and thus half of the total population – are dependent on humanitarian aid, while 93% of households do not have enough to eat.

The UN has warned that a much greater humanitarian catastrophe is imminent if the international community allows Afghanistan's healthcare, banks, and economy to collapse.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Merkel stressed again that the diplomatic recognition of the Taliban was "not on the agenda".

She has also called for greater European efforts to step up diplomatic talks with the Taliban aimed at dealing with the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.

Merkel has repeatedly made clear that diplomatic talks with the Taliban had “to be distinguished from any diplomatic recognition.”