EU warns Taliban it has not recognised their regime

The EU’s top officials toured the facility at the Torrejon military airbase with Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez, who said it can hold 800 people.

EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at the Torrejon military airbase in Madrid (Paul White/AP)

The European Union’s top officials warned the Taliban on Saturday that the current conversations being held to secure the exit of as many Afghan evacuees as possible do not mean the bloc is prepared to recognise the new regime.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged the necessity of continuing to engage with the Taliban during her visit, with EU Council president Charles Michel, to a reception centre for evacuees near Madrid, in Spain.